Citation

Tate L, Feeney A. Medicine (Abingdon) 2012; 40(11): 574-576.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Medicine Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.mpmed.2012.08.010

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Risk assessment is the process of determining the likelihood of an adverse event occurring. This article concentrates on the principles underlying mental health risk assessment focusing on the risk to self and others rather than more broadly defined risks. The different types of risk assessment are briefly outlined. A simple framework and practical guidance is offered on the process of risk assessment, emphasizing the importance of a good history, the limits on the duty of confidentiality and the inherent difficulties in predicting future events. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

documentation; human; violence; mental health; suicide; risk assessment; ethics; accuracy; information; article; priority journal; social aspect; practice guideline; confidentiality; demography; Mini Mental State Examination; medical history; clinical assessment; interrater reliability