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We provide ongoing training and support to clinicians on using IAR-DST.
The IAR-DST complements clinical judgement and assessment to recommend the most appropriate level of care for a person seeking mental health support.
NT PHN uses a stepped-care approach for mental health planning and services.
However, without a national approach, inconsistencies in care arise, leading to different treatments for similar clinical presentations.
To address this issue and the strain on the mental health sector, a standardised and transparent referral process is essential.
The IAR-DST is used to alongside a usual mental health assessment to gather information from the consumer.
The assessment is undertaken across 8 holistic domains which aim to describe clinical severity and service needs, and guide decisions on the most appropriate next steps (for example, intervention, further assessment).
The IAR-DST, an initiative of the Department of Health and Aged Care, gathers information from various sources, including experts and evidence from Australia and abroad.
It offers a nationally consistent, evidence-based approach for assessing and referring patients seeking mental health support.
The tool streamlines the process for clinicians in determining the care needs of patients with mental health concerns.
The IAR-DST provides a standardised framework for referrers to communicate assessment and referral information consistently, and articulate treatment needs using a language commonly understood across the sector.
Widespread use of the IAR-DST improves awareness and transparency of how decisions about the appropriateness of referrals are made.
Effective communication of a consumer’s circumstances will ensure that they are matched to the most appropriate service for their needs, minimise the risks and liabilities associated with under-estimating a person’s treatment needs.
Moreover, this can reduce frustration and save time in managing rejected referrals, meaning more patients receive the right care at the right time.
For most Australians, a general practice is the first port of call when they access Australian’s healthcare system, and their general practitioner (GP) is usually the first person they consult about their mental health care. In 2020-21, almost 13% of Australians aged 16-85 saw a GP for their mental health.
In 2019-20, approximately 30% of Medicare-subsidised services specific to mental health were provided by GPs. In a recent report, GPs reported – for the sixth consecutive year- that psychological conditions (including sleep disturbance and depression) were the most commonly reported reasons for patient presentations.
This is why GPs would benefit from skills and knowledge to identify and address patient’s mental health needs.
Attendees may record one-hour educational activities, and one hour reviewing performance.
This is a paid training opportunity for GP and GP registrars. A once-off payment* of $300 will be given after successful completion of the training workshop in an electronic gift card form.
*Note: Payment is not available to other medical staff or clinicians.
Not available for GPs working in Commonwealth-funded services (e.g. adult mental health centres, Aboriginal medical centres), unless training is completed outside paid employment hours.
Workshop 1* – 30 minutes pre-recorded video you can access in your own time.
Workshop 2 – 90 minutes practical activity via Teams or face to face (subject to availability)
*Note: Completion of Workshop 1 is a pre-requisite for acceptance in Workshop 2.
**If you have at least 4 GPs and would like to have a face-to-face in-service training, please contact the IAR Training and Support Officer through the details below.
We currently have no upcoming training sessions. Please check back later for future workshop dates and registration details.
For more information about the IAR-DST, please reach out to Neami National.Â
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