Cardiologist's Note - Risk Assessment
**Date and Context:**
1 November 2024
In-person
**Identified Risk Factors:**
History of unstable angina, uncontrolled hypertension (BP consistently 160/100 mmHg), previous myocardial infarction (2 years ago), sedentary lifestyle, high-stress occupation, non-adherence to prescribed medication (stated occasional skipping of beta-blockers).
**Ideation (I):**
Patient reports no suicidal ideation, self-harm ideation, intrusive thoughts, or harm-to-others thoughts. Expressed significant anxiety about future cardiac events, stating thoughts of "what if it happens again?" which intrude daily.
Frequency of ideation: Daily
Intensity of ideation: 7/10 (on a scale of 0-10, where 10 is most intense anxiety)
Explicit number of times ideation occurred: Approximately 5-10 times per day.
Duration or temporal pattern of ideation episodes: Each episode lasts 5-15 minutes, often triggered by physical exertion or stress at work.
Impact of ideation on functioning, coping, sleep, work, or daily activities: Significantly impacts sleep (difficulty falling asleep due to worry), and concentration at work; patient reports avoiding some physical activities due to fear.
Stated exceptions, protective contexts, or circumstances associated with reduced ideation: Ideation is reduced when engaged in hobbies (gardening) or spending time with family.
**Intent (I):**
Patient explicitly denies any intent to act on anxious thoughts or any form of self-harm. Expresses strong desire to live a healthy life for his family.
**Plans (P):**
No stated planning details related to self-harm or suicidal intent. Patient has a plan to follow up with a therapist for anxiety management.
**Actions (A):**
No preparatory behaviours, past attempts, recent self-harm, researching methods, acquiring means, or other risk-related actions. Patient has actively sought information on cardiac health and lifestyle changes, indicating proactive coping.
**Protective Factors (P):**
Strong family support (spouse, two children), enjoyment of hobbies (gardening, reading), good insight into his cardiac condition and the need for lifestyle changes, expressed hope for improved health outcomes, engaged with current care plan, strong desire to live.
**Changeable Factors (Risk Modifiers):**
Factors that may increase risk: Non-adherence to medication, unmanaged stress, sedentary lifestyle, uncontrolled hypertension, history of MI.
Factors that may decrease risk: Engagement with therapy for anxiety, commitment to increasing physical activity, willingness to adhere to medication, family support.
**Current Risk Presentation:**
Patient presents with significant anxiety regarding future cardiac events but explicitly denies suicidal or self-harm ideation or intent. Affective state is anxious but hopeful. Behavioural changes include avoidance of some physical activities and difficulty sleeping. No acute triggers observed during the consultation, but stress at work and physical exertion are reported triggers for anxiety.
**Clinical Judgement and Stratification:**
Based on explicitly stated information, the patient is at low immediate risk for self-harm or suicide. There is a moderate risk for exacerbation of cardiac anxiety impacting quality of life and adherence to treatment, which requires ongoing management.
**Immediate Actions Taken:**
Provided psychoeducation on stress management and the link between anxiety and cardiac health. Emphasised importance of medication adherence. Referred to a cardiac rehabilitation programme. Signposted to mental health support services for anxiety management. Encouraged regular physical activity within safe limits.
**Follow-Up Plan:**
Review in 3 months to assess blood pressure control, medication adherence, and progress with cardiac rehabilitation and anxiety management. Patient to contact the clinic sooner if experiencing any acute cardiac symptoms or worsening anxiety. Referral to clinical psychologist for ongoing anxiety support to be initiated.
**Date and Context:**
[Record the date on which risk was explored] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
[Record the setting in which risk was explored, such as in-person, phone, or video] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
**Identified Risk Factors:**
[List all static and dynamic risk factors explicitly mentioned, including historical, psychological, social, or situational factors] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
**Ideation (I):**
[Record the presence or description of suicidal ideation, self-harm ideation, intrusive thoughts, or harm-to-others thoughts] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
[Record frequency of ideation] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
[Record intensity of ideation using any explicitly stated scale or descriptor] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
[Record the explicit number of times ideation occurred, if stated] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
[Record duration or temporal pattern of ideation episodes] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
[Record impact of ideation on functioning, coping, sleep, work, or daily activities] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
[Record any stated exceptions, protective contexts, or circumstances associated with reduced ideation] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
**Intent (I):**
[Record any stated intent to act on ideation or an explicit denial of intent] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
**Plans (P):**
[Describe any stated planning details, including method, timing, location, or access to means] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
**Actions (A):**
[Record any preparatory behaviours, past attempts, recent self-harm, researching methods, acquiring means, or other risk-related actions] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
**Protective Factors (P):**
[Identify internal or external protective factors such as relationships, responsibilities, values, coping skills, insight, hope, or engagement with care] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
**Changeable Factors (Risk Modifiers):**
[Record any factors explicitly identified that may increase or decrease risk] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
[Record factors that may increase risk] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
[Record factors that may decrease risk] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
**Current Risk Presentation:**
[Describe the current risk presentation, including ideation, intent, planning, access to means, affective state, behavioural changes, or acute triggers] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
**Clinical Judgement and Stratification:**
[State the overall clinical judgement of risk level and rationale based solely on explicitly stated information. Do not invent or infer risk level.] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
**Immediate Actions Taken:**
[Record any immediate actions taken, such as safety planning, grounding strategies, crisis signposting, escalation, safeguarding actions, or emergency responses] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)
**Follow-Up Plan:**
[Detail any explicitly stated follow-up actions, reviews, referrals, or planned risk monitoring] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note; otherwise omit completely.)