Behavioral Health Consult
Behavioral Health Consult is a 3- to 4- page department that features psychiatric and behavioral health issues that family physicians encounter daily.
The column is evidence based and practical for the time-pressed family physician. Articles follow a format that includes:
- Case study
- Definition/scope of problem
- Differential Dx
- How to make the diagnosis
- Treatment
- Coordination of care issues
- Resolution of case
The article should start with a case study that is based on a real case. The case should list the patient's age and gender and his or her signs and symptoms. It should then describe the case history, with pertinent positive and negative findings and the clinical course of the illness. Most importantly, the case should illustrate the challenges that arise when diagnosing or treating patients with this condition. Cases can report on success stories, but they can also describe instances when things did not end optimally (and the lessons that were learned along the way).
The entire column should be approximately 1400 words long (including the case) plus references (up to approximately 600 words).
If photos are available, supply them, too. All Behavioral Health Column submissions are subject to peer review.
Figures and tables: Figures display a brief title at top that tells the main teaching point of the figure. At bottom, a caption explains the illustration, graph, or flowchart completely and succinctly. A reader in a hurry should be able to look at each art element and thoroughly understand its meaning without having to search the text for an explanation. Likewise, tables carry a descriptive title and use footnotes, as needed, to qualify data and other entries.