Vignette 1

An attorney calls and tells you that her firm represents a textile company that makes men's suits. The company has a worker who has been employed there for 20 years, but he has been on long-term disability for 3 years due to the pain he experiences from carpal tunnel syndrome. More recently, the disabled employee has claimed to have additional problems with depression and panic attacks. The attorney tells you there were recent attempts to discontinue the employee's disability due to lack of medical necessity. The attorney requests an independent medical examination (IME).

Question

1. Explain how a forensic psychologist would plan for the evaluation of the individual in the vignette listed above. Be very specific.

2. Then explain what a forensic psychologist thinks would be the most important aspects of that planning.

3. Finally, explain what insights gained about evaluation planning.

Note: Justify your response by using the Learning resources.

References:

DUNN, L. B., NOWRANGI, M. A., PALMER, B. W., JESTE, D. V., & SAKS, E. R. (2006). Assessing Decisional Capacity for Clinical Research or Treatment: A Review of Instruments. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(8), 1323-1334.

Melton, G. B., Petrila, J., Poythress, N. G., & Slobogin, C. (2018).Psychological evaluations for the courts: A handbook for mental health professionals and lawyers(4th ed.). New York: The Guilford Press.

Bonnie, R. J., & Monahan, J. (2005). From coercion to contract: Reframing the debate on mandated community treatment for people with mental disorders.Law and Human Behavior,29(4), 485-503.

Dunn, L. B. (2006). Capacity to consent to research in schizophrenia: The expanding evidence base.Behavioral Sciences and the Law,24(4), 431.

Spaulding, W. J. (1990). A look at the AMAGuides to Evaluation of Permanent Impairment: Problems in workers' compensation claims involving mental disability.Behavioral Sciences and the Law,(4), 361-373.

Melton, G. B., & Limber, S. (1989). Psychologists' involvement in cases of child maltreatment: Limits of role and expertise.American Psychologist,44(9), 1225-1233.

Practice Directorate, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC. (1994). Guidelines for child custody evaluations in divorce proceedings.American Psychologist,49(7), 677-680.