Postgraduate education – meeting the needs and expectations of those we serve: The dynamic duo of psychiatric diagnosis and formulation

Abstract

Service users and those who support them have an expectation that a health diagnosis will offer insight into the cause of their symptoms, and will come with a prognosis that will determine treatment options. However, psychiatric diagnostic systems do not usually provide links to aetiology or prognosis, both of which can be highly individualised. As a result, there is a gap between mental health service users' expectations and what can be realistically provided by diagnosis alone. However, when paired with a thorough and reflective formulation, diagnosis is placed in a context that leads ineluctably to a comprehensive management or recovery plan. This dynamic combination results in a collaborative plan that is better placed to meet both the needs and the expectations of those we serve.

Sustainability of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists exams

“…In the case of clinical practice this has led particularly to involvement of consumers making contributions to service planning, service delivery, and indeed in expressing formed and thoughtful views about the diagnostic classification systems. 6,7 There have been parallel developments in the examination literature with the use of both real and simulated patients making significant contributions to teaching and assessment. 8–10 The great contribution ‘examiner variance’ can make to communication skills assessment has also been demonstrated.…”