Journal of General Practice

Analysis of Quality of Clinical Letters Written in Psychiatry Community Clinic

Abstract

Jahan Zeb Khan*, Annette Kavanagh, Tayyaba Ishtiaq

Aims: Clinical letters are vital for Clear and effective communication. Our aim was to evaluate the quality of clinical letters against audit
standards in a community psychiatry clinic.
Methods: In the first cycle of the audit we assessed quality of letters All letters (n=30) written by the author for patients who attended
community mental health clinic between last two weeks of September 2015. The 2nd cycle of the audit we assessed letters (n=29) written
in last two weeks of November 2015. The audit standards were developed as per recommendations of 21st European Congress of Psychiatry
and relevant literature research.
Results: The standard of clinical letters in the first cycle of audit varied significantly. The information related to bio data details (name, D.O.B.
address, diagnosis and pharmacological treatment) was accurately stated 100% (30/30) in the letters. The All Day Living activities (ADLs) and
standard length of letter were found in 66.7% (20/30) and 73.3% (22/30) of letters respectively. The quality of letters improved in the 2nd cycle
of the audit as per audit standards.