The Engagement Interview Protocol (EIP): Improving the Acceptance of Mental Health Treatment among Culturally Diverse Populations

Abstract

Many patients from diverse cultural backgrounds are unfamiliar with Western psychiatric terminology and have high levels of stigma toward psychiatric illnesses. To enhance communication between clinicians and patients and engage patients in psychiatric treatment, we designed the Engagement Interview Protocol (EIP) to incorporate cultural components into a standard psychiatric evaluation. The EIP elicits patients' narratives and explores patients' illness beliefs, which are integrated with patients' information on medical and psychiatric history, psychosocial background, and mental status examination so that clinicians can negotiate treatment options in a culturally sensitive manner. The EIP was developed specifically for mental health clinicians to use during the diagnostic clinical interview. However, the conceptual framework of the EIP endeavors to approach diversity and understanding of mental health in a creative way, outside the usual "medical model." This chapter reviews the growing diversity of the United States population, the importance of understanding cross-culturally mental health and illness beliefs, and the development and medical application of the EIP. The concepts behind the EIP itself have a multidisciplinary origin and can be adapted to clinical, educational, and research settings to promote an increased appreciation for diversity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved)