HSV534 DBs Unit 4

HSV534 DBs Unit 4

DB 4.1: 

From your readings, what is the difference between a “screening” and “assessment” measure? In thinking about your future work in the field of Human Services, and reading the information for this unit, why would some clients “lie” on self-report instruments in regard to reporting their drinking behaviors? How would human service professionals know that the person is being dishonest? What should be done when a client is untruthful in this situation? Please think of a client you have worked with (or if you have limited experience you can hypothesize about a client) who was dishonest on a screening or assessment instrument when it comes to alcohol. How did you approach this situation? What went well or what would you have done differently? Please be detailed in your example and explanation.

Screening tools are quick assessment tools that suggest the probable existence of a given issue, such as alcohol misuse. They are generally applied to identify if any additional testing is required. While screening instruments are general in scope and are employed to detect, determine the extent of, and map out a course of action for the problem found to exist, assessment tools are more extensive.

A potential limitation of self-report instruments is that clients may not be truthful about their drinking behaviours because of stigmatization, fear of the repercussions, or denial of their condition. Actual dishonesty described can be detected by human service professionals based on inconsistency in the response, a second source of information, or even behaviour that is inconsistent with the verbal report of the client (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2022).

When a client is untruthful, it’s important to address the dishonesty non-confrontationally and explore the reasons behind it. Building a trusting relationship can encourage honesty. For example, I once worked with a client who underreported their drinking (Foo et al., 2022). By creating a non-judgmental space and gradually exploring the discrepancies, the client eventually felt safe enough to share the truth. This approach fostered a more effective intervention plan.

In one case, I worked with a client who was dishonest about their alcohol consumption during an assessment. I approached the situation by expressing empathy and assuring the client that my goal was to help, not to judge. This facilitated a more open dialogue. However, I realized later that I could have introduced the topic more gently and gradually to avoid initial defensiveness.

DB 4.2:

Often times, you may encounter a situation where your client could be in a predicament as a result of problematic drinking. In thinking about the proper way to recognize alcohol issues and assessment, what did you learn from NIAAA’s 4 steps from our required reading about the screening and assessment process? How were the cases helpful in preparing for your future in the Human Services field? Please discuss 2 cases in detail. Were these cases similar in any way to those you have already encountered in your work in the field? Additional thoughts? Please be sure to use detailed examples to support your statements.

The NIAAA’s screening and assessment process includes asking about alcohol use, assessing for alcohol use disorder, advising, assisting, and following up. (Screen and Assess: Use Quick, Effective Methods | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 2023)

Case 1
A middle-aged man with a high-stress job was screened for alcohol use. Despite an initial negative screening, further assessment revealed heavy weekend drinking. This case highlighted the importance of comprehensive assessment beyond initial screening.

Case 2
A young woman presenting with anxiety was found to have significant alcohol misuse upon assessment. Initial screening missed this due to her focus on anxiety symptoms. This case reinforced the need to consider alcohol use in various presentations.

These cases were similar to my experiences, where initial screenings sometimes missed underlying alcohol issues. The detailed steps and follow-up strategies from the NIAAA readings were particularly valuable in understanding how to manage such cases effectively.

Training on newer screening tools and the use of multiple opportunities to practice empathetic interviewing skills are essential to proper client handling (Lajante et al., 2023).

DB 4.3:

Often times, it is a clinician’s job to help identify when a client’s drinking has become problematic. Based on the reading and the videos indicated for this unit, what do you think it “takes” to develop the skills to properly be able to use a screening test or assessment measure effectively? Should you rely only on a screening tool? What characteristics are important for the clinician in working with someone who might present with certain ego-defense mechanisms of defensiveness, resistant, or even in denial about his/her drinking problems? What would you do to try to help a client in this situation? Have any of you been in this situation and how did you handle it? Please be sure to view the short videos to aid in your discussion and use examples.

For screening tests and assessment measures to be used properly by clinicians, one has to learn some important aspects like active listening, empathetic communication, and the strengths and weaknesses of the tools (Hall & Montgomery, 2023). It is not enough to rely on a screening tool alone; it must be used in conjunction with a complete clinical examination.

Clinicians should have certain personality traits like patience, the ability to be non-judgmental, and persistence. Thus, it is critical to learn how to interact with clients who seem to be too defensive or who refuse to see any truth in what you are saying (Redelmeier et al., 2021).

When caring for clients, I acknowledge their defensiveness or denial by addressing the bond that has been established. For example, in a client that I had to work with recently, I had to compel them to accept that they have a drinking problem, but they vehemently insisted that they drink excessively. I adopted motivational interviewing strategies because they helped to navigate the client through the different stages of change until he or she accepts the need to change. This approach of avoiding confrontation was useful in ensuring there was little or no resistance and that all the information being gathered was accurate.

I encountered a client who was resistant to discussing their drinking habits. By validating their feelings and exploring their motivations for change, I was able to break through their defenses. Reflecting back, I would continue to use these techniques but incorporate more follow-up sessions to ensure sustained engagement.

References

Foo, J. C., Meinhardt, M. W., Skorodumov, I., & Spanagel, R. (2022). Alcohol solution strength preference predicts compulsive‐like drinking behaviour in rats. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 46(9), 1710–1719. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.14910

Hall, E. R., & Montgomery, P. (2023). Communication skills training for improving the communicative abilities of student social workers: A systematic review. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 19(1). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1309

Lajante, M., Del Prete, M., Sasseville, B., Rouleau, G., Gagnon, M.-P., & Pelletier, N. (2023). Empathy training for service employees: A mixed-methods systematic review. PloS One, 18(8), e0289793. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289793

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Screening and Assessment Tools Chart. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/nidamed-medical-health-professionals/screening-tools-resources/chart-screening-tools

Redelmeier, D. A., Najeeb, U., & Etchells, E. E. (2021). Understanding Patient Personality in Medical Care: Five-Factor Model. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 36(7). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-021-06598-8
Screen and Assess: Use Quick, Effective Methods | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). (2023, September 22). Www.niaaa.nih.gov. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/screen-and-assess-use-quick-effective-methods

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HSV534 DBs Unit 4

DB 4.1

• From your readings, what is the difference between a “screening” and “assessment” measure? In thinking about your future work in the field of Human Services, and reading the information for this unit, why would some clients “lie” on self-report instruments in regard to reporting their drinking behaviors? How would human service professionals know that the person is being dishonest? What should be done when a client is untruthful in this situation? Please think of a client you have worked with (or if you have limited experience you can hypothesize about a client) who was dishonest on a screening or assessment instrument when it comes to alcohol. How did you approach this situation? What went well or what would you have done differently? Please be detailed in your example and explanation.

NOTE: You must make at least 1 substantial posting and 2 substantial replies to this thread. You must participate in the Unit discussion board (making postings/replies) at least 3 days per unit to qualify for full credit and also have at least 1 posting by Wednesday at midnight. You also must use APA style in your posting and replies so please use in-text references and provide a reference to give proper credit to the authors.

DB 4.2

• Often times, you may encounter a situation where your client could be in a predicament as a result of problematic drinking. In thinking about the proper way to recognize alcohol issues and assessment, what did you learn from NIAAA’s 4 steps from our required reading about the screening and assessment process? How were the cases helpful in preparing for your future in the Human Services field? Please discuss 2 cases in detail. Were these cases similar in any way to those you have already encountered in your work in the field? Additional thoughts? Please be sure to use detailed examples to support your statements.NOTE: You must make at least 1 substantial posting and 2 substantial replies to this thread. You must participate in the Unit discussion board (making postings/replies) at least 3 days per unit to qualify for full credit and also have at least 1 posting by Wednesday at midnight. You also must use APA style in your posting and replies so please use in-text references and provide a reference to give proper credit to the authors.

DB 4.3

• Often times, it is a clinician’s job to help identify when a client’s drinking has become problematic. Based on the reading and the videos indicated for this unit, what do you think it “takes” to develop the skills to properly be able to use a screening test or assessment measure effectively? Should you rely only on a screening tool? What characteristics are important for the clinician in working with someone who might present with certain ego-defense mechanisms of defensiveness, resistant, or even in denial about his/her drinking problems? What would you do to try to help a client in this situation? Have any of you been in this situation and how did you handle it? Please be sure to view the short videos to aid in your discussion and use examples.
  NOTE: You must make at least 1 substantial posting and 2 substantial replies to this thread. You must participate in the Unit discussion board (making postings/replies) at least 3 days per unit to qualify for full credit and also have at least 1 posting by Wednesday at midnight. You also must use APA style in your posting and replies so please use in-text references and provide a reference to give proper credit to the authors.

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