Psychological testing (includes psychodiagnostic assessment of emotionality, intellectual abilities, personality and psychopathology, eg, MMPI and WAIS), with qualified health care professional interpretation and report, administered by technician, per ho
CPT4 code
Name of the Procedure:
Psychological Testing
Common Name(s): Psychodiagnostic Assessment
Technical Terms: MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory), WAIS (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale)
Summary
Psychological testing involves assessing a person's emotionality, intellectual abilities, personality, and potential psychopathological issues. This comprehensive evaluation is interpreted by a qualified health care professional and administered by a technician.
Purpose
Psychological testing addresses a variety of mental health conditions, cognitive impairments, and personality disorders. The primary goals are to identify psychological issues, provide a diagnosis, and inform treatment planning.
Indications
- Symptoms: Anxiety, depression, mood swings, cognitive impairment, personality changes.
- Conditions: ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, learning disabilities.
- Patient Criteria: Individuals experiencing emotional distress, cognitive difficulties, or showing signs of psychopathological behavior.
Preparation
- No special preparation is generally required.
- Patients should bring any previous relevant psychological or medical records.
- Medication: Continue regular medications unless instructed otherwise by a healthcare provider.
Procedure Description
- Initial Interview: Brief interview to understand the patient’s history and concerns.
- Testing Administration: A technician administers various standardized tests like MMPI and WAIS.
- MMPI: True/False questionnaire assessing personality structure and psychopathology.
- WAIS: Series of tasks evaluating cognitive abilities, including memory, comprehension, and problem-solving.
- Scoring and Interpretation: Tests are scored and interpreted by a qualified health care professional.
- Report Generation: A detailed report summarizing findings, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations.
Duration
Typically takes about 4-6 hours, depending on the number of tests administered.
Setting
- Outpatient clinic
- Hospital department
- Specialized psychological testing center
Personnel
- Technician: Administers the tests.
- Qualified Health Care Professional (Psychologist or Psychiatrist): Interprets test results and generates the report.
Risks and Complications
- Minimal risks, primarily related to anxiety or discomfort during testing.
- Rarely, test results may not be fully accurate due to patient’s condition (e.g., fatigue, stress) affecting performance.
Benefits
- Accurate identification of emotional, cognitive, and personality issues.
- Informative for diagnosis, leading to more effective treatment plans.
- Benefits are typically realized shortly after the assessment, once the results are discussed with the healthcare provider.
Recovery
- No physical recovery required.
- Patients may feel mentally fatigued; rest and hydration recommended.
- Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to discuss test results and treatment plans.
Alternatives
- Clinical interviews and observation.
- Computerized cognitive testing.
- Pros: Less time-consuming options.
- Cons: May not provide as comprehensive or accurate assessment as psychological testing.
Patient Experience
- Patients might feel a range of emotions from curiosity to anxiety during testing.
- Comfort measures include scheduled breaks and a comfortable testing environment.
- Pain management is not necessary as the procedure is non-invasive and painless.