Forensic Psychiatrist : Careers in Mental Health

This video is about Psychiatrists and is part of a Mental Health Career video series created by the Oregon State Hospital Museum.

Psychiatrists at the Oregon State Hospital utilize a variety of tools to diagnosis and treat patients. By listening to the patient, Psychiatrists can relate what they are saying with their history, and determine an appropriate diagnosis based on this information. They may also utilize labs such as bloodwork, CAT scans, or MRIs to help understand what is affecting the patient.Upon analyzing the information received, the psychiatrist then determines the optimal medication for the patient. This requires paying close attention to the patient’s reactions to the medication and making adjustments as necessary.

Psychiatrists work as a part of a interdisciplinary treatment team that is also made up of psychologists, nurses, social workers, and other therapists. This team designs a patient-centered treatment plan that includes the treatment methods that would best suit the patients needs.