The End...

The interview will come to a natural close once you have established all the information you need. When you belive this is the case take a moments pause and look over your notes. This gives you an opportunity to tie up any unfinished sections in the history and diagnostic questions. You can also use this time to note down any observations for the mental state examination.

'I have almost got everything I need. I just need to ask you about (...your family, housing, any past involvement in the law etc..)'

As you go through what you have written anything which is missing, incomplete or inaccurate should be noted stating the reason why and any potential sources from where it may be obtained.

e.g. Patients medications  - doses and names are not certified as patient couldn't remember. Need to be verified with GP.

Finally close the interview by asking the patient if there is anything they feel you have missed out or they would like to add. Once you have finished the interview make sure you thank the patient and explain your next steps from here.

The PsychSkills PocketBook is a handy guide which can help you make sure you have covered everything in the history and mental state examination when clerking. Print it off and carry it with you until you can confidently complete a clerking without a checklist.