Use of Scales in Psychiatric Assessment

March 31, 2026

Structured assessments use standardized questions for consistency and reliability, while semi-structured assessments follow a framework with more flexibility. Precision is consistency of measurement; accuracy is closeness to the true value. Standardized scales reduce bias, improve diagnostic reliability, and monitor symptoms over time. Common telepsychiatry tools include the PHQ-9 (depression), GAD-7 (anxiety), PCL-5 (PTSD), YMRS (mania), and C-SSRS (suicide risk).

Target Audience

  • Physicians
  • Physician Assistants
  • Advanced Practice Nurses
  • Registered Nurses
  • Licensed Practical Nurses

Learning Objectives

Learners will be able to:

  • Identify at least 3 scales that can be easily used for a psychiatric assessment.
  • Summarize the implementation of rating scales in the assessment. 

 

You may also be interested in

Navigating Dementia in Vascular Neurology

This webinar will provide an in-depth review of cerebral amyloid angiopathy and vascular dementia, including their epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, and management.
Grand Rounds: The Argument for a More Patient Attitude Toward a Single Unprovoked Seizure

Diagnosing and treating a patient following a single unprovoked seizure is complex. A comprehensive history is essential to distinguish true epileptic seizures from mimics and to confirm whether the episode is indeed the first.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    TeleSpecialists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    TeleSpecialists designates this Live activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Course opens: 
12/31/2025
Course expires: 
03/30/2027
Event starts: 
03/31/2026 - 12:00pm EDT
Event ends: 
03/31/2026 - 1:00pm EDT
Add to calendar: 
Rating: 
0
Speaker(s)

Felix Grucci, DO

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.
Moderator(s)

Muhammad Saeed, Bcom

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.
Peer Reviewer(s)

Brandyn Powers, DO

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.
Planner(s)

Caitlyn Boyd, MHA, MSN, RN, CPHQ, CPAHA-Telestroke

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

This nursing continuing professional development activity was submitted to the Emergency Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    TeleSpecialists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    TeleSpecialists designates this Live activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please login or register to take this course.