module 2 Writing psychological reports Flashcards
understand the principles to observe when writing a psychological report
The key function of the report is to present the assessment findings in a clear and integrated way. In it, all results from assessment procedures are presented and combined with other sources of information, such as background information provided by the client.
The report communicates any recommendations, and it is written in direct response to the referral questions, i.e. the objectives of the assessment process. The report also needs to be written with a view to the assessment setting and the audience of the report, e.g., client, workplace, legal setting, parents, school.
It is strongly recommended that results of tests or observations are given in a melded form and DO notJUST LIST EACH TEST AND ITS FINDINGS.
Any recommendations should be formulated specifially with not just types of therapy but precise areas that need to be worked on, PLUS the strategies required to achieve them. Such strategies and WHO to deploy them should be spelt out. There also should be specific examples of where /how/who might provide the next steps.
appreciate the practical and ethical issues in providing feedback to clients and other professionals
Language should be appropriate to audience.
In particular these days, an approach which also focuses on the client’s strengths as well as areas to improve, is recommended.To what end the report may be utilised must be appreciated and be in line with the psycholosist’s views of ethics/justice/appropriateness etc.
Provision of feedback to clients should be helpful, relatable and honest. Decide if is ppropriate to give test sfcdores or more useful to give summary explanations.
correctly format a psychological report.
THEMES ASSESSING REPORT WRITING PROFICIENCY;
……
WRITING STYLES;…..
1.literary;uses everyday language but may be prone to dramatics and exaggeration.
2.Clinical-tends to focus on problems, may be impersonal and not acknowledge strengths.
3.Scientific-focuseas on normative data, less personalised
4.Professional-uses everyday language but in precise terms. employs strategies to make reading informative and relatable to reader.RECOMMENDED USUALLY.
.HOW REPORT IS GIVEN…
ie is it a letter? to whom?document?official record?
ORDER AND SECTIONS….
1.Referral question; what questions are there and who requires the answers. and what consequences may there be to those answers?
2.Evaluation procedures-what was done and when and duration. (results not usually incl;uded here)
3.Background information (relevant history)(family, relationships, socioeconomic status, medical history, medications/substances, sexual orientation,gender,ethnicity, behaviours,etc
4.Behavioural observations-only if relevant. appearance,orientated,engaged in testing process/resentful/helpful etc
5.Interpretations and impressions;results, and significances and what client strategies for coping etc there are. Many reports might chose to focus on the areas of cognition, personal relationships,affect (emotion) and self -concept. BUT many other areas are possible AND it is best to let the referral question determine the appropriate areas of focus. Any problems identified should be accompanied by clear examples.
6.Summary and recommendations.
Also must ensure have documented when and duration of tests were done. Any references required are acknowledged.
Plus ensure an adequate follow-up process etc. It is NOT sufficient to rely on third parties being able/willing to provide accurate feedback to the client and should be done by the psychologist.
THE Society for Personality Assessment has developed a method of determining if a participant is qualified to write reports on personality assessment and uses the following areas in their assessments;
1.Comprehensiveness-what is necessary is presented, but not what is not.
2.Integrated;test results are summarised together in a meaningful person-centred way.in particuloar, any conflicting results are addressed and explai8ned.
3.Validity-interpretations are valid based on evidence, and gradings such as”mild”/”moderate” etc are used meaningfully and in line with proper protocol. Any limitations or potential limitations are also addressed. Recommendations are clearly an answer to the referral question and can clearly be seen to have come from the findings.Recommendations must be clearly delineated AND to be possible given the circumstances.
4.Client-centred-report is individual, acknowledges individual’s strengths and is aware of their ethnicity/culture/beliefs. Report language SHOULD NOT just be copies of computer reports.
Whilst developed for personality assessment competency, these principles are broadly applicable usually to psychological assessment report writing.
shot-gun report
a style of report which is overly generalised with a variety of descriptors such that one or some of them are usually technically ‘right” but of very little actual individualised accuracy or use.
Should there be a diagnosis?
this depends on the referral question. some believe a dsm-5 or equivalent diagnosis is helpful, and others believe it leads to “self-fulfilling prophecy” and lack of client responsibility/effort to engage in therapy or change.
test items
specific test items SHOULD NOT be included in the report due to licensing/copyright and confidentiality standards.
