Psychiatrists providing emergency services at an urban general hospital
completed questionnaires on 227 patients evaluated over a two-month period
to assess whether they suspected the patient of malingering or of having
secondary gains, and whether the patient was confronted about the
suspicions. Thirteen percent of patients were strongly or definitely
suspected of feigning symptoms; none received a primary diagnosis of
malingering, and less than half were confronted. Suspected secondary gains
included food and shelter, medications, financial gains, and avoidance of
jail, work, or family responsibilities.
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