collateral contact
Communication with individuals other than the patient to gather information for assessment or treatment planning.
Full Definition
Collateral contacts involve communication with family members, teachers, previous treatment providers, or other significant individuals in a child or adolescent's life to obtain comprehensive information for clinical assessment and treatment planning. These contacts may be conducted via phone, in-person meetings, or written correspondence. Collateral contacts are essential in child psychiatry due to developmental limitations in self-reporting and the need to understand functioning across multiple settings. Information gathered may include behavioral observations, treatment history, family dynamics, academic performance, and environmental factors. Proper consent and confidentiality considerations must be addressed when conducting collateral contacts.
Usage
Usage note: Document consent/releases obtained and specify the purpose of each collateral contact for clinical and legal clarity.
In Context
- "Collateral contacts with teachers revealed significant attentional difficulties in the classroom setting." — Diagnostic evaluation report
- "The clinician obtained releases of information to conduct collateral contacts with previous therapists." — Treatment planning note