The 4 P’s formulation model

Question 1

What is formulation?

Answer 1

Aims to capture real world contributors to the child’s presentation in a structured and solution focused way

Question 2

Why do CAMHS use formulation instead of diagnosis?

Answer 2

Children can’t tell you what’s wrong and often it is a complex picture.

Also, mental health has few physical ways of measuring symptoms

Question 3

What is a common structure used in formulation?

Answer 3

The 4 P’s

Question 4

What are the 4 P’s?

Answer 4

1. Predisposing
2. Precipitating
3. Perpetuating
4. Protective

Question 5

What is meant by the 1st P?

Answer 5

PREDISPOSING

What are the risk factors that lead this person to be more likely to have the problem?

Question 6

What is meant by the 2nd P?

Answer 6

PRECIPITATING

What was it that contributed to this changing from it being just a risk of a problem to an actual problem?

Question 7

What is meant by the 3rd P?

Answer 7

PERPETUATING

What is keeping the problem going, or why isn’t it getting better?

Question 8

What is meant by the 4th P?

Answer 8

PROTECTIVE

What is in the picture that might be preventing the problem from being even worse?

What strengths can be built on, to result in improvements?