Commentary: Challenges in providing psychiatric disability evaluations.

Christopher et al., in their study of differences between general psychiatrists and forensic psychiatrists in the evaluation of psychiatric disability relative to Social Security Disability Insurance claims, have provided useful information regarding statistically significant differences in practice and beliefs. Despite the relatively small number of participants in this unique survey study, the authors have identified important sources of potential bias among both general and forensic psychiatrists. The study also highlights the profound disconnect between the historically prevalent medical model of disability, in which treating clinicians are considered experts in assessing disability, and the actuality that most general and forensic psychiatrists lack training in disability evaluations. This misperception creates additional practical and ethics-related problems for clinicians when their patients file disability claims.