Biopsychosocial formulation and the key phases of a child mental health assessment

This episode is part of our upcoming e-learning course, A GP Framework for Child Mental Health Assessment. 

What are the key phases of a child mental health assessment in general practice? Dr Andrew Leech joins the Emerging Minds podcast to discuss these phases and the principal role that biopsychosocial formulation plays in conducting a child mental health assessment. 

Andrew is a GP based in Perth, Western Australia, and has a passion for paediatric general practice as well as the role that GPs can play in positively influencing a child’s life trajectory. He has a diploma in child health and holds advisory roles at the RACGP and Emerging Minds. 

In this episode, Andrew summarises the four key phases of a child mental health assessment that are articulated in the e–Learning course, ‘A GP Framework for Child Mental Health Assessment (5-12 years)’, and explains the important role that a biopsychosocial approach to formulation plays in supporting the child and family. 

In this episode you will learn:

• key phases of a child mental health assessment [1:14]
• how a biopsychosocial formulation help with understanding the needs of a child and family [9:50]
• the difference between formulation and diagnosis [21:00]
• the challenges GPs face in forming an understanding of a child’s mental health needs [27:33]
• advice for completing a child mental health assessment [32:21]

Further information and resources:

A GP Framework for Child Mental Health Assessment e-learning course: https://emergingminds.com.au/online-course/a-gp-framework-for-child-mental-health-assessment-5-12-years/

Supporting Children’s Resilience in General Practice e-learning course: https://emergingminds.com.au/online-course/supporting-childrens-resilience-in-general-practice/

Supporting child mental health in general practice with Dr Sara Whitburn podcast: https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/podcast/supporting-child-mental-health-in-general-practice/