Safety

 It is important that you are aware of various aspects related to your own safety.  Most patients with psychiatric problems are not violent or dangerous.  However, a small number of patients who are acutely psychologically disturbed may be violent or aggressive.  If you are seeing a patient on any of the inpatient wards, before you see the patient please check with a member of staff that the patient is safe to be interviewed alone.  You should not see any patient by yourself whom the ward staff are concerned may be potentially violent.  You may see that patient in the company of other health professionals if this can be arranged.

 When you interview a patient, always place yourself between the patient and the door of the interview room.  If at any point you feel uneasy or alarmed during the interview, end the interview immediately and leave.  Most potentially violent situations can be defused.  If the patient becomes angry, do not contradict the patient or try to argue with him or her.  Try to make understanding statements, and if these do not work then suggest that the interview should be stopped.