ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the elements of the initial patient contact for the purposes of determining if medication is indicated, and, if so, what kind of medication might be prescribed. Performing an organized, thorough evaluation is crucial to success with psychotropic prescription. Whether conducted in an outpatient office or clinic, an inpatient or institutional setting, the process of this initial evaluation seldom changes. Although each individual is different and each of these initial evaluation sessions may take a slightly different course, it is important to have a general procedural process and goal in mind.
