Psychological Assessment of Surgical Candidates: Evidence-Based Procedures and Practices

Psychosocial factors, such as caregiver support and patients' expectations for quality of life after surgery, can have a strong impact on surgery outcomes. This book presents evidence-based approaches to presurgical psychological assessment across a broad range of medical conditions.

Psychologists and other mental health professionals are increasingly included within the preoperative evaluation process for patients preparing for major surgery. Presurgical psychological assessment (PPA) aims to assess both the risk factors for poor surgical outcome, as well as patient strengths and resources that can have a positive impact on surgery results.

This book presents evidence-based approaches to PPA across a broad range of medical conditions. Chapters outline a flexible model and practical tips for conducting PPA. They also offer selection and administration guidelines for psychological testing and clinical interviews, and information about relevant ethical and legal issues. Chapters review specific surgical areas in which PPAs are routinely conducted, including metabolic and bariatric, gynecologic, spinal procedures, gender embodiment, breast cancer treatment and prevention, solid organ transplant, deep brain stimulation, and treatment for temporal lobe epilepsy.


Author: Ryan J. Marek
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 05/02/2023
Pages: 270
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 8.70h x 6.20w x 0.90d
ISBN13: 9781433837319
ISBN10: 1433837315
BISAC Categories:
- Psychology | Assessment, Testing & Measurement
- Psychology | Clinical Psychology
- Medical | Surgery | General

About the Author

Ryan J. Marek, PhD, is an assistant professor of Clinical Psychology at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM). Dr. Marek teaches medical students, engages in an active program of research, serves as consulting editor for both medical and psychological peer-reviewed journals, and holds a practice at SHSU Physicians clinic where he conducts various psychological assessments (including presurgical evaluations) and therapy. Dr. Marek's program of research is focused on understanding how psychological factors contribute to medical outcomes. He currently has over 50 peer-reviewed publications mostly focused on presurgical psychological evaluations and how they predict various outcomes.

Andrew R. Block, PhD, is a fellow of the American Psychological Association and is board certified in Clinical Health Psychology. He has provided presurgical psychological evaluations and chronic pain treatment for more than 40 years, the last 32 at Texas Back Institute. He has over 50 peer-reviewed publications primarily focused on psychosocial influences on spine surgery outcome, most recently studying the MMPI-2-RF and MMPI-3. He is co-developer, along with Yossef Ben-Porath, of the MMPI-2-RF spine surgery candidate and spinal cord stimulator candidate interpretive reports. He has four previous books, including Presurgical Psychological Screening: Understanding Patients, Improving Outcomes. He may be contacted at: andrewblockpsych@yahoo.com.