Whodas 2.5: Cultural Case Formulation

In 2013 the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5, the DSM 5, was published by the American Psychological Association which expanded upon, added, or changed diagnostic criteria. Changes to the DSM 5 include completing a Cultural Case Formulation with a semi- structured interview that takes into account each clients unique cultural traits and influences. Several all over changes include using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, the WHODAS 2.0, that is used to screen clients for their current level of physical functioning, social life participation, and cognitive functions. Using the WHODAS 2.0 allows clinicians to have more concrete levels of functioning rather than using a broader measure such as the Global Assessment

A general checklist is included for clients to initially use and then cross cutting measures are used to provide information about specific client symptoms. The cross cutting measures allow the clinician to have data that can be used for diagnosis. These checklists are disorder specific and include severity levels that can be used in treatment planning and safety check lists. These can also be administered at intervals to track client progress over time. These can be used as part of an Evidence Based Practice model and can provide statistical data on clinician effectiveness (American Psychological Association, 2013). During the initial interview with the client a new format is used called the Cultural Case Formulation. This takes into account the cultural identity of the person, their cultural definitions of distress, and cultural stressors. Psychosocial stressors are included which can be unique to each culture and the level that a person identifies with their culture can be taken into account when treatment planning. By assessing a client's cultural identity this may allow the clinician to identify barriers or commonalities between themselves and the