Client: The Australian Psychological Society

Development of an integrated multidisciplinary training package for mental health professionals

Project timeline: July 2007– December 2007

Brief description:

To develop, in collaboration with the Mental Health Professionals’ Association, a National integrated multidisciplinary education and training package for mental health professionals to support collaborative care in delivery of primary mental health care

Outcome:

The Mental Health Interdisciplinary Networks (MHIN) project brings together the four main mental health professional organisations in a collective partnership the Mental Health Professionals’ Association (MHPA):

• The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP)

• The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)

• the Australian Psychological Society (APS)

• the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) in a collective partnership

The training package was:

• Developed to support key professional groups in the use of the new MBS item numbers in an appropriate, effective and efficient manner, and 

• To provide opportunities to network and support collaborative care between general practitioner, psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health nurses, paediatricians, social workers and occupational therapists

• Based on sound educational methodology and adult learning principles, including concepts and practice of interactive participatory learning, the real life application of acquired learning and the utilisation of case material

• Have a multidisciplinary focus and meet the needs all professional groups

• Included a participant and facilitators manual and support material