The formulation, the summary, and progress notes

This chapter gives an overview of the summary and the formulation in psychiatry. The summary is descriptive and documents the historical and mental state information as well as the patient’s progress. This forms the basis of the ‘part 1 and 2 summaries’ that psychiatric trainees must write, and a scheme is given to help assemble this information. The formulation incorporates a diagnostic category but goes beyond it to identify the factors from biological, psychological, or social domains that are judged to be most relevant in the individual case. Whereas the summary is descriptive, the formulation is interpretative or analytical. The chapter encourages development of these skills. Advice is also given on handover notes.