Cultural Formulation Interview

Significance of Cultural Formulation Interview on Diagnosis and Treatment
Student
Institution Affiliation
Introduction
It is important to adopt a Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) for the validation of cross-cultural contexts. Such validation assessments apply globally. CFI assesses all the aspects of cultural acceptability, utility, and feasibility and addresses the issue through interviews administered by clinicians and paramedics. In this case, for example, CFI is important for students who report cases of anxiety, restlessness, and worry due to the forthcoming exams. It marks good diagnosis and treatment in the field of both psychiatry and medicine.Need to Respond to Open-Ended Questions
CFI helps students appreciate the background of their current concerns. In such a case, the students who submit themselves to the Cultural Formulation Interviews report comfort, rejuvenation, and new focus since the questions affect their very personal life matters like relationships, health, and academics (Mezzich et al, 2009). An example is a case where a 27-year old lady appreciated the opportunity afforded her to share her anxiety and concerns before the CFI panelists.
Questions Likely to Ask
There are pertinent questions to ask these students as they prepare for their assignments. The nature of questions determines how they respond to the rising anxiety, depression, and worry. Some of the questions include:
What is it that happens to you at your background, background here meaning home? Do you receive good treatment from your loved ones in that regard?
Have previous interviews strengthened your relationship with your clinician? What were your challenges by then and how did you overcome them?
Do you have a problem expressing your health difficulties in a language other than your mother tongue? If so are you free to express your health concerns through English? It makes diagnosis easier.

How do you plan to implement the results from your CFI interview? Do you believe the results will be different from previous CFI interviews?
Conclusion
It is incumbent upon the student and the clinician to appreciate the importance of administering a CFI in all circumstances, for a proper medical diagnosis. The primary purpose of a CFI is to differentiate cases of anxiety from paranoia and mental disorders from fear and emotional instability. CFI administration is complementary to better diagnosis and hence the interview scheduled for the student will do him good.
References
Mezzich, J. E., Carracci, G., Fabrega Jr, H., & Kirmayer, L. J. (2009). Cultural formulation
Guidelines. Transcultural Psychiatry, 46(3), 383-405.