Assessment and management of patients with psychiatric disorders

Objective: To review key issues in the preoperative assessment of patients with psychiatric disorders: assessment of cognitive capacity, psychiatric history, capacity to give informed consent, and the impact of psychotropic medications or substances of abuse. We also outline a general approach to the psychiatric patient. Our review focuses on those psychiatric conditions and medications most likely to complicate perioperative care. Data Source: Critical studies and expert reviews in the field, as well as the authors' clinical experience in general hospital psychiatry. Conclusions: Psychiatric disorders need not unduly complicate perioperative care, but they present certain challenges; a systematic approach as described here will simplify perioperative care of these patients.