Letter to Dr. Sarah Jenkins, General Practitioner
Diagnosis/Symptom Complex:
1. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Combined Presentation, confirmed via diagnostic criteria and validated questionnaires.
Current Medicines:
1. Atomoxetine 10mg, capsule, once daily in the morning.
Education:
Primary school, Year 5. Attends St. Michael's Primary School, receives additional support for literacy and numeracy from a teaching assistant during core subjects.
Examination
Weight 32 kg
Height 135 cm
Blood Pressure 100/68 mmHg, within normal limits for age.
Plan
1. Initiate a trial of methylphenidate after a washout period from atomoxetine, starting at 5mg modified release daily, titrating as per clinical guidance and patient response.
2. Referral to CAMHS for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to address emotional dysregulation and coping strategies.
3. Follow-up appointment scheduled in 4 weeks to review medication efficacy and side effects.
4. Liaise with school regarding ongoing support and behavioural strategies.
Outcome
Decisions made include the change in medication regimen and referral to CAMHS. Next steps involve initiating the new medication and attending the CBT sessions. A follow-up appointment with the paediatrician is scheduled for 1 December 2024.
Dear Colleagues
I was pleased to review Master Thomas Smith, aged 9, who was brought to my community clinic by his mother, Mrs. Eleanor Smith. Master Smith was referred by yourselves due to ongoing concerns regarding his inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, significantly impacting his academic performance and social interactions. This was his first contact with our service for this presentation.
Current Situation
Master Smith's mother reports persistent difficulties with focus and completing tasks, both at home and at school. He frequently interrupts others, struggles to wait his turn, and often fidgets. These behaviours have been present since early childhood but have become more pronounced in the last two years, leading to frustration for both Thomas and his family. His mother is particularly concerned about his declining grades and his difficulty maintaining friendships due to impulsive outbursts.
In-Clinic Questionnaires
Thomas self-reported feeling restless and often struggling to pay attention in class, especially during long lessons. He expressed frustration with himself for forgetting things and getting easily distracted. He mentioned that he sometimes gets into trouble for talking out of turn, but he "can't help it."
Mrs. Smith corroborated Thomas's self-reports, adding that he often loses his belongings, struggles with organisation, and finds it hard to follow multi-step instructions. She noted that his impulsivity has led to minor accidents at home and difficulties with sharing toys with his younger sibling.
The family reports no significant recent adverse experiences or trauma. His parents have tried various behavioural strategies at home with limited success, including reward charts and stricter routines, but the consistency of his difficulties remains a significant concern.
Development
Thomas met all early developmental milestones within typical ranges. Motor development was normal, and he started walking at 12 months. Speech and language development was also typical, with first words at 10 months and full sentences by 2 years. No significant developmental regressions have been noted.
Sleep
Thomas typically goes to bed at 20:30 and wakes at 06:30. He often takes 30-45 minutes to fall asleep and has occasional night awakenings, particularly if he has had an exciting day. No medications are currently used to support sleep; parents have tried a consistent bedtime routine, which has helped to some extent.
Past Medical History and Background
Born at full term via spontaneous vaginal delivery, no perinatal complications. Immunisations are up to date. No known allergies. Past medical history is unremarkable apart from a few minor childhood illnesses. He has not undergone any previous surgical procedures.
Family History
Thomas lives with both parents and a younger sister, aged 6. His mother reports a family history of ADHD on his paternal side; his father and paternal uncle both have a diagnosis of ADHD. There is no significant family history of other mental health conditions or neurodevelopmental disorders.
ADHD Evaluation
Information from Mrs. Eleanor Smith (Mother) received October 2024
Strengths
Mrs. Smith reports that Thomas is a creative and imaginative child who enjoys building Lego and drawing. He is very caring towards his younger sister and often shows empathy towards others. When engaged in activities he enjoys, such as video games, he can sustain focus for extended periods.
Challenges
Mrs. Smith highlights significant challenges with attention, particularly in tasks that require sustained mental effort. He is often forgetful, disorganised, and struggles to follow instructions. Hyperactivity is evident through constant fidgeting, difficulty remaining seated, and often running or climbing inappropriately. Impulsivity manifests as interrupting conversations, blurting out answers, and difficulty waiting his turn. These difficulties severely impact his ability to complete homework and follow family routines.
Information from the School in September 2023 and May 2024
Strengths
The school reports Thomas is a generally well-liked student who participates enthusiastically in group activities. He demonstrates good problem-solving skills in practical subjects and is particularly strong in art. His teachers note his creative ideas and willingness to help classmates.
Challenges
Teachers consistently report significant difficulties with inattention, easily distracted by classroom stimuli, and frequently losing focus during lessons. He struggles with task completion and often makes careless errors. Hyperactivity is noted through excessive fidgeting and difficulty remaining in his seat. Impulsivity leads to interruptions and occasional disruptive behaviour. The school has implemented a visual timetable and provides frequent breaks, but these strategies have had limited success in mitigating the core symptoms. He struggles with handwriting and organisation of his school bag.
Information from School – Received October 2024
Strengths
Recent reports indicate Thomas continues to show strong engagement in creative subjects and is well-liked by his peers. He has shown some improvement in managing transitions between lessons with the consistent support of his teaching assistant.
Challenges
Despite ongoing support, recent challenges in the school setting include persistent difficulties with academic organisation, completing written tasks within the allocated time, and occasional emotional outbursts when frustrated with academic demands. His attention span remains a significant barrier to independent learning, and he requires constant prompting to stay on task. Social interactions are generally positive, but impulsive remarks can sometimes cause friction with peers.
"Conner's parent/teacher and self-report questionnaires gather information regarding a range of behaviours and symptoms. The scores indicate whether the observed symptoms are disproportionate to those expected for a child of the same age. T-scores > 70 for attention and hyperactivity/impulsivity in all settings indicate that the symptoms are significant."
Parents' Rating T Scores – October 2024
Inattention / Executive Dysfunction - 75
Hyperactivity - 72
Impulsivity - 70
Emotional Dysregulation - 68
School Work - 71
Peer Interactions - 65
Family Interactions - 70
Teachers' Rating T Scores – October 2024
Inattention / Executive Dysfunction - 78
Hyperactivity - 74
Impulsivity - 71
Emotional Dysregulation - 69
School Work - 73
Peer Interactions - 67
Self-Reported T Scores
Inattention / Executive Dysfunction - 68
Hyperactivity - 65
Impulsivity - 63
Emotional Dysregulation - 60
School Work - 65
Peer Interactions - 60
Family Interactions - 62
QB Test – October 2024
The QB Test is a computer-based test that objectively measures the three core symptoms of ADHD: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It measures activity level using an infrared motion tracking system and attention and impulsivity through a sustained attention task requiring the inhibition of responses to specific stimuli. The test was administered in a quiet room, with Thomas cooperative throughout.
"The scores were as follows:"
Activity Level = 2.5 (elevated, indicating hyperactivity)
Attention = 1.8 (below average, indicating significant inattention)
Impulsivity = 2.1 (elevated, indicating impulsivity)
Overall, the QB Test findings are highly consistent with a diagnosis of ADHD, showing significant difficulties across all three core symptom domains (inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity). These objective measures corroborate the subjective reports from both parents and teachers, strengthening the diagnostic picture.
On Examination
Master Smith presented as a bright, engaging 9-year-old boy. He was well-dressed and made good eye contact. During the consultation, he displayed noticeable fidgeting, frequently changed position in his chair, and had difficulty remaining seated for extended periods. He tended to interrupt the conversation occasionally but was able to re-focus with gentle prompting. His affect was appropriate, and his mood appeared generally good, though he expressed some frustration when discussing his academic struggles. Attention was difficult to sustain on tasks he found less engaging, but he showed sustained focus when discussing his interests.
Conclusion and Plan
Based on comprehensive history taking, validated questionnaires (Conners 3rd Edition), objective QB Test results, and clinical observations, Master Thomas Smith meets the diagnostic criteria for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Combined Presentation. The severity of his symptoms is significantly impacting his academic and social functioning. The current atomoxetine trial has not yielded sufficient benefit. Therefore, the plan is to switch to methylphenidate to optimise symptom control. A referral to CAMHS for CBT will provide him with coping strategies for emotional dysregulation and support his overall well-being. We will monitor his progress closely and adjust medication as needed during follow-up appointments. Ongoing liaison with the school will ensure a consistent approach to support. We have discussed the diagnosis and management plan thoroughly with Mrs. Smith, who is in agreement.
This letter summarises today's clinic appointment and has been generated using voice recognition software. Please contact the clinic on [clinic phone number] if you have any queries or notice any inaccuracies.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Thomas Kelly
Paediatrician
Letter to [Names and roles of all recipients to whom this letter is addressed] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Diagnosis/Symptom Complex:
1. [Primary diagnosis or symptom complex including relevant diagnostic details and any associated conditions] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Do not invent or infer a diagnosis. Write as a numbered list.)
Current Medicines:
1. [Current medications including name, formulation, dosage, and frequency or instructions for use] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write as a numbered list.)
Education:
[Educational setting including school type, year group, and any relevant details about the educational environment or support in place] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Examination
Weight [weight measurement in kilograms] kg (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
Height [height measurement in centimetres] cm (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
Blood Pressure [blood pressure reading and interpretation] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
Plan
1. [Treatment plan and recommendations including investigations, referrals, medication changes, and any other actions agreed upon] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write as a numbered list.)
Outcome
[Outcome of the appointment including any decisions made, next steps, and follow-up arrangements] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Dear Colleagues
[Opening paragraph including the patient's age, name, who accompanied them to the appointment, history of referral, and any relevant prior contact with the service] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else write "I was pleased to review [patient name] who was brought to my community clinic by [accompanying person's name and relationship to patient]." Write in narrative paragraphs.)
Current Situation
[Current presenting situation and concerns including the primary reason for the appointment, key behavioural, emotional, or developmental concerns, and the perspective of the accompanying person] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in narrative paragraphs.)
In-Clinic Questionnaires
[Patient's self-reported experiences, perceptions, and coping mechanisms as discussed during the consultation] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in narrative paragraphs.)
[Accompanying person's additional observations, clarifications, and any discrepancies or additions to the patient's self-report] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in narrative paragraphs.)
[Relevant background information discussed including any history of adverse experiences or trauma and its relationship to current symptoms] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in narrative paragraphs.)
Development
[Summary of developmental history including early milestones, motor development, speech and language development, and any relevant contextual factors or concerns] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in narrative paragraphs.)
Sleep
[Description of current sleep patterns including sleep onset, duration, night waking, and any medications or strategies used to support sleep] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in narrative paragraphs.)
Past Medical History and Background
[Summary of birth history, past and current medical conditions, known allergies, and vaccination status] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in narrative paragraphs.)
Family History
[Summary of family structure and any relevant family medical history, mental health history, or neurodevelopmental conditions] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in narrative paragraphs.)
ADHD Evaluation
Information from [Name or role of information source and the month and year the information was received] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Strengths
[Summary of the patient's strengths as reported by the relevant source including positive behaviours, abilities, and adaptive functioning] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this subheading and content entirely. Write in narrative paragraphs.)
Challenges
[Summary of the patient's challenges as reported by the relevant source including attentional difficulties, hyperactivity, impulsivity, emotional regulation, and functional impact] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this subheading and content entirely. Write in narrative paragraphs.)
Information from the School in [Month and Year] and [Month and Year] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Strengths
[Summary of the patient's strengths in the school setting including areas of academic ability, social skills, and positive behavioural observations] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this subheading and content entirely. Write in narrative paragraphs.)
Challenges
[Summary of the patient's challenges in the school setting including academic performance, attentional difficulties, social interactions, behavioural concerns, and any support strategies in place] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this subheading and content entirely. Write in narrative paragraphs.)
Information from School – Received [Month and Year] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Strengths
[Summary of recent strengths in the school setting including academic engagement, social functioning, and any noted improvements] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this subheading and content entirely. Write in narrative paragraphs.)
Challenges
[Summary of recent challenges in the school setting including academic difficulties, social interactions, emotional regulation, and any current support strategies] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this subheading and content entirely. Write in narrative paragraphs.)
"Conner's parent/teacher and self-report questionnaires gather information regarding a range of behaviours and symptoms. The scores indicate whether the observed symptoms are disproportionate to those expected for a child of the same age. T-scores > 70 for attention and hyperactivity/impulsivity in all settings indicate that the symptoms are significant." (Only include if Conner's questionnaires were used and mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit this paragraph entirely.)
Parents' Rating T Scores – [Month and Year] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Inattention / Executive Dysfunction - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
Hyperactivity - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
Impulsivity - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
Emotional Dysregulation - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
School Work - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
Peer Interactions - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
Family Interactions - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
Teachers' Rating T Scores – [Month and Year] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Inattention / Executive Dysfunction - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
Hyperactivity - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
Impulsivity - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
Emotional Dysregulation - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
School Work - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
Peer Interactions - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
Self-Reported T Scores
Inattention / Executive Dysfunction - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else leave the placeholder blank and do not omit the heading.)
Hyperactivity - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else leave the placeholder blank and do not omit the heading.)
Impulsivity - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else leave the placeholder blank and do not omit the heading.)
Emotional Dysregulation - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else leave the placeholder blank and do not omit the heading.)
School Work - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else leave the placeholder blank and do not omit the heading.)
Peer Interactions - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else leave the placeholder blank and do not omit the heading.)
Family Interactions - [score] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else leave the placeholder blank and do not omit the heading.)
QB Test – [Month and Year] (Only include if QB test was performed and mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Explanation of the QB Test including its purpose, what it measures, and the context in which it was administered] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
"The scores were as follows:"
Activity Level = [score and interpretation] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
Attention = [score and interpretation] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
Impulsivity = [score and interpretation] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
[Summary of overall QB Test findings including clinical significance and how the results relate to the diagnostic picture] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
On Examination
[Physical and behavioural examination findings observed during the consultation including general appearance, behaviour, attention, activity level, affect, and any other relevant clinical observations] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in narrative paragraphs.)
Conclusion and Plan
[Clinical reasoning and diagnostic conclusions including rationale for any diagnosis or differential, discussion of management strategies, recommendations made, and follow-up arrangements] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Do not invent or infer a diagnosis. Write in narrative paragraphs.)
[Closing statement including reference to the letter summarising today's clinic appointment, mention of voice recognition software, and contact details for queries or inaccuracies] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)