Trainees' competence in psychiatric case writing.

An assessment was made of 100 case records written by junior medical staff working in a psychiatric teaching hospital. Thirty-nine items were rated, and considerable gaps were found in the records. The Mental State was more poorly recorded than the History; the Formulation and Summary were more satisfactory. Possible reasons for the findings are discussed, including methodological difficulties, administrative considerations, and attitudes of junior staff. The implications for the training and assessment of junior psychiatrists are explored.