Clarifying and summarising

Clarifying and summarising

Summarising is what turns a long conversation into something you and the person can both hold on to. Done well, it does three things at once: it shows the person you have heard them; it lets you check you have got it right; and it produces the basis of a personalised care and support plan.

Internal summaries during the conversation

Every few minutes, a short summary keeps the conversation tracking with the person.

"So just to make sure I'm with you — there are three things weighing on you at the moment: the gas bill, the fact you haven't seen anyone since last weekend, and your knee. Have I got that right?"

A final summary at the end

Before you close, summarise:

• What the person said matters to them, in their own words where possible.
• What you have agreed as next steps — whether that's an action by you, by them, or by both.
• When you will speak next, and how.

Use the BRAN model when exploring options

When discussing what to do next, the framework references BRANBRAN— Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, NothingA simple shared decision-making framework for exploring options with someone. — Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, doing Nothing. Walk through each option together:

• Benefits — what could change for the better?
• Risks — what could go wrong, or be uncomfortable?
• Alternatives — what else could we try?
• Doing nothing — what happens if we don't do anything different?

This prevents the SPLWSPLW— Social Prescribing Link WorkerA role that supports people to access community-based services, groups and activities to meet practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing. Used internationally; equivalents in some countries include 'link worker', 'community connector' or 'health navigator'. (or the person) defaulting to the first idea that came up.

De-mystifying jargon

Translate as you go. If a referral letter mentioned "polypharmacy", and the person says they take "lots of pills", use their word. Where the person needs to interact with a system that uses jargon (benefits, council tax, mental health pathways), name what each term means in plain English.

Linked competencies

• Clarifies and summarises information as appropriate (Domain 1)
• De-mystifies information and checks understanding (Domain 1).