A 25-year-old lady arrives at the office for an initial assessment of her poor mood. The patient has been depressed and unable to sleep since relocating to a new apartment three weeks ago. She states, "My landlord does not let dogs in the building. I really miss my dog. I know my attitude would improve if I received a letter from you stating that my dog is welcome to live with me." The patient's dog is presently being cared for by her parents, who reside a few miles away. Which of the following physician remarks is the most appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: In this initial patient interaction, the physician is met with a specific request for an emotional support animal letter but has very minimal information. Although physicians should respond to a patient's concerns, they should not feel obligated to give a suggestion before thoroughly assessing the patient. The ideal strategy is to confirm the patient's worries and obtain further facts on which to base a decision.
The physician should begin with an empathic statement noting this patient's distress and then gain a more thorough grasp of the problem. This would entail gaining a more complete description of the patient's mood, evaluating for further depressed symptoms, taking a medical and psychiatric history, as well as assessing other psychosocial stresses and the patient's support system.  Dismissing the patient's request or coming to a premature decision should be avoided.

A 25-Year-Old Lady Arrives at the Office for an Initial