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Peer 1
Jessica
Patient Information
Mental health is a major world health issue. It significantly affects the patient’s physical, social, and mental well-being. All mental health professionals must take their patients’ detailed and thorough historical information. The patient’s historical information is essential for mental health professionals. It allows them to design treatment and diagnosis plans for the patient. The patient’s health information should include a comprehensive social history, medical history, and full mental status examination with a probable treatment plan.
Importance of gathering detailed information
Improved diagnosis
According to Bickman’s (2020) research on improving mental health services, gathering comprehensive mental health information on patients was critical in improving the diagnosis. Evidence from his research shows that a thorough understanding of a patient’s background effectively helped mental health professionals arrive at a more accurate diagnosis. Bickman (2020) confirmed that mental illness often shares similar characteristics and joint symptoms. Therefore, the detailed information from the patient can help professionals compare notes and establish a more accurate and improved treatment. 
Establishing more effective treatment
According to Gamby et al. (2021), in their study of the importance of patients’ wellness histories and recommendations, gathering past information on patients’ mental status is essential in establishing a more effective treatment. It helps in understanding patients’ unique symptoms and conditions. This allows the care providers to tailor an individualized treatment plan for the patient. 
Reducing risks of medication errors
According to Nicholson et al. (2020), the already-established trend of collecting comprehensive patient history and information on mental status paved the way for correct dosage and psychotropic medication. The study revealed that mental health professionals were able to make the diagnosis more accurately and commenced treatments resulting from the information provided. Therefore, medical officers in mental health clinics should start collecting patients’ data before deciding on the medication to be provided to reduce the chances of medication errors.
Defining Malingering
Malingering refers to a case where patients lie about their mental conditions to avoid legal litigation or financial compensation.  In most cases, a malingering diagnosis occurs when a patient wants secondary benefits and does not gain mental health wellness.
Differentiating between Malingering and DSM-5 Diagnosis
The patient’s motivation is a major way of differentiating malingering, and an accurate DSM-5 diagnosis is motivation.  According to Schram (2021), people with DSM-5 are distressed by their condition and are motivated by the need to improve their mental health. However, malingering patients are motivated by external rewards. Patients fake their conditions to escape a criminal sentence, get free drugs, and gain financial compensation. In most cases, malingering occurs during civil litigation or criminal trials. Victims pose to be mentally impaired to avoid their sentences. 
The second way to identify the difference between malingering and DSM-5 diagnosis is inconsistency in the symptoms. According to Hall & Poirier (2020), the DSM-5 diagnosis is conducted on patients with real mental health conditions. Therefore, their symptoms are always consistent. However, patients who are malingering have inconsistency with symptoms presented in the diagnosed disorder. For instance, when malingering, a patient posing to have depression can be reported as having emotional numbness, which is not a common symptom for patients with depression.
Peers 2
Edelyne
Patient Information
Three Key Reasons Why Thorough Historical Information is Crucial
Accurate Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis
To make an accurate (correct) diagnosis, mental health professionals need all the necessary information about the patient: a medical history, a social history, and a mental status examination (Voss & Das, 2022). The diagnosis could be wrong, and as a consequence, the patient may be rendered to take an unsuitable treatment and incur potential harm. Comprehensive medical information is valuable background information that allows healthcare providers to reflect on the other possible diagnoses apart from the primary one and, hence, give the most conclusive treatment. Thus, it makes it possible for the chosen plan of treatment to rely on the nature of the illness, avoiding hazards of misuse of drugs or waste of resources spent on ineffective measures.
Individualized Treatment Planning
A detailed patient history plays a pivotal role in that it equips clinicians to develop a treatment plan individually made based on a patient’s unique previous experiences, preferences, and requirements. Learning about a patient’s social environment, such as family, cultural background, and medical history, assists in fine-tuning and individualizing treatment and compassionate care (Stubbe, 2020). An individualized approach results in higher treatment compliance, while patients become more likely to remain engaged in a therapy that aligns with their specifics.
Risk Assessment and Safety
Among various factors, it is helpful in risk assessment for recognition of the treatment-related risks that may affect the patient, like self-harm, suicide, violence, or neglect. Identifying supporting treatments helps an individual be safe and puts them into appropriate care, either as an inpatient or an outpatient. Careful risk assessment, which includes crisis intervention or safety planning, is a vital part of the safety measures that will protect the patient and others (Saab et al., 2021).
Definition of Malingering
Malingering is any production of psychological and physical symptoms or exaggeration performed on purpose to meet some external benefits expectations, including avoiding work, receiving financial compensation, or avoiding legal responsibility (Alozai & McPherson, 2020). It is not a medical diagnosis but a compulsive psychological behaviour with secondary welfare motives.
Differentiating Malingering from DSM-5 Diagnoses
Inconsistencies in Symptom Presentation
Malingering is more likely to be associated with disjointed or overstated symptoms. People may complain of severe symptoms incoherent with observed behaviour or laboratory results. Nurses may detect contradictions between subjects’ reported severity of the symptoms and their objective evidence, suggesting that a client could exaggerate his or her health state (Bellman et al., 2022). Contrary to this, the authentic DSM-5 diagnoses are more consistent in the exhibited symptoms and generally backed by clinical observation.
External Incentives and Secondary Gain
One characteristic trait of malingering is that there are external incentives or secondary gains (such as seeking exemption from work and receiving financial compensation) that are found among patients. Mental health professionals have to establish whether a patient’s allegedly reported symptoms are associated with the given external benefit (Sweet et al., 2021). In contrast, DSM-5 diagnoses are not ordinarily associated with secondary gain due to a lack of motive, and patients with these conditions usually experiencing emotional distress or impairment in daily functioning without any apparent external reinforcements.

Prompt: Write a paper that emphasizes attitudes and competencies that are important in effective professional relationships; defining culture and competence; cultural self-awareness and assessment of personal cultural competence. Include references to support your discussion.
In this paper you will answer the prompt provided below. At minimum, the paper must contain the following:
A working thesis with an arguable, analytical
A specific set of evidence (quotes, page numbers, etc.) to prove that claim, not just “example to prove my point,” or something similar. The evidence and how it proves the thesis must be apparent. Papers must include at least five (5) scholarly references and five (5) to seven (7) pages in length (excluding title page, abstract and references).
Fully developed, cohesive paragraphs with topic sentences. These topic sentences should be assertions. The paragraphs should contain ample evidence, analysis, and links to the thesis. Lack of development in paragraphs may result in no credit for the
A title page, an abstract page, and a reference page
1” margins, double spacing, a 12 point Times Roman font and between eight and ten pages in length (excluding title, abstract, and reference pages)
Conform to APA formatting guidelines (6th Edition).
Midterm Paper Rubric
Midterm Paper Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe paper: Addresses the topic or question
3 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
3 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe paper: Accurately presents assigned authors’ viewpoints
3 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
3 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe paper: Provides sufficient textual evidence to support the argument
4 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe paper: Topic engages the reader (compelling, focused, specific and arguable)
5 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStructure: Abstract – Introduction
3 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
3 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSet the context – provide general information about the main idea, explaining the situation so the reader can make sense of the topic and the claims you make and support
1 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
1 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeState why the main idea is important – tell the reader why s/he should care and keep reading. Your goal is to create a compelling, clear, and convincing essay people will want to read and act upon
2 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeState your thesis/claim – compose a sentence or two stating the position you will support with logos (sound reasoning: induction, deduction), pathos (balanced emotional appeal), and ethos (author credibility).
2 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStructure: The body contains a complete discussion and support
8 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
8 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStructure: Includes a topic sentence
3 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
3 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStructure: Develops one main idea
3 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
3 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStructure: Has a transition sentence linking it to the next paragraph
3 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
3 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe conclusion: Recaps the thesis statement and the essay’s main points
3 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
3 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe conclusion: Presents a closing statement of the writer’s position
3 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
3 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization and Development: The composition – Is logically organized
5 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe composition Structure matches purpose and audience
4 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTone and Point of View Is appropriate for audience
4 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTone and Point of View Respects topic
4 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStyle/Conventions: Language is concise and precise
2 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStyle/Conventions: Vocabulary range, accuracy and correct/effective word usage
2 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStyle/Conventions: Free of misspellings
2 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStyle/Conventions: Free of grammatical mistakes
2 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStyle/Conventions: Complete and a variety of sentences structures
2 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStyle/Conventions: Correct punctuation
2 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMechanics: Paper follows APA assigned style
7 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
7 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMechanics: References cited correctly (APA style, etc.)
10 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMechanics: Paper supported by appropriate research
6 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
6 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMechanics: Appropriate format (font size, spacing, etc.)
2 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
2 pts
Total Points: 100