The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 44 No. 1 - The Extended Consultation

The 4Ps of Formulation & Intervention

Cheong Pak Yean, Ong Chooi Peng, Goh Lee Gan
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 44 No 1 - The Extended Consultation
13 - 14
1 January 2018
0377-5305
The next step after the biopsychosocial information is collected from the extended history, extended examination, and extended investigation is the formulation of the 4P factors related to the patient’s problems (Predisposing, Perpetuating, Precipitating, and Protective factors). In this 4P formulation, attention is paid to the genogram, time-line, ROADS of the family, and the patient’s readiness to change. In certain situations, SBAR tool (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) may be needed to help get a better clarity of the situation and issues. Formulation helps us to be strategic in our psychosocial management.