Use of Projective Testing on a Consultation-Liaison Service

Abstract

Projective psychological testing is a valuable but underrated tool in consultation-liaison psychiatry. By reviewing psychiatric consultations with supporting psychological testing done over a 12-month period at the Beth Israel Hospital, the authors pinpointed clinical problems where projective testing was particularly helpful. The authors found suicidality, depression, and regression to be diagnostic dilemmas in which use of the Rorschach and TAT was decisive in the crisis setting of some consultations. The psychodynamic information offered by these tests guided both proper medication selection and verbal interventions as well as facilitated medical education. 4 cases were selected to illustrate the relevance of projective testing to consultation-liaison work.

A multicenter investigation of consultation-liaison psychiatry in Italy

“…Consultants performed or recommended psychological tests in a minority of cases (2%), whereas other studies indicate the use of psychological testing in 10% of consultations [32]. Psychological counseling was offered to about twothirds of the referred cases (63%).…”