Developing Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training (FPS ST) courses (Level 2)

Developing Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training (FPS ST) courses (Level 2)

What are Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS)?

Focused Psychological Strategies (FPS) are specific mental health care treatments, derived from evidence-based psychological therapies. At the time of publication, they include:

• cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), including behavioural interventions and cognitive interventions
• eye-movement desensitisation reprocessing (EMDR)
• interpersonal therapy (ITP)
• narrative therapy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• psychoeducation, including motivational interviewing
• relaxation strategies
• skills training, including training in problem-solving, anger management, social skills, communication training, stress management, and parent management.

 

Useful resource Up to date list of FPS interventions applicable under the Better Access Initiative. Available at: https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&qt=ItemID&q=2721

 
Under the Better Access initiative, GPs who are registered FPS providers can use a range of these recognised FPS interventions.

Objectives of an FPS ST course

Your FPS ST course must aim to:

• enhance the knowledge and skills GPs attained in MHST
• develop GPs’ skills in providing evidence-based psychological interventions for common mental health illnesses
• provide GPs with insight into the perspective of people who have experienced mental illness
• provide GPs with insight into the perspective of non-professional carers caring for people living with mental illness.

How a GP becomes a GP provider of FPS

After successfully completing an FPS ST course, GPs can register with Medicare as a GP provider of FPS and claim the relevant MBS item numbers for the provision of FPS in general practice.
Figure 2 outlines the steps GPs must complete in order to register with Medicare as GP providers of FPS.

Figure 2. Education required to be a registered GP provider of FPS
 

Useful resource Registering with Medicare as a GP provider of FPS. Available at: https://gpmhsc.org.au/info-for-gps/registration-gp-provider-fps

Courses based on CBT and IPT

Table 12 shows the skills that training providers must include in GPMHSC-accredited FPS ST.

Table 12. Focussed Psychological Strategies

Courses based on CBT Courses predominantly based on CBT must provide skills in the following strategies, except those shown as optional: Psycho-education Motivational interviewing Theory and principles underlying CBT Behavioural interventions: behaviour modifications activity scheduling (optional) exposure techniques (optional) Cognitive interventions: cognitive analysis, thought challenging and cognitive restructuring self-instructional training, attention regulation and control (optional) Relaxation strategies Skills training (e.g., problem-solving, communication training, parent management training and stress management)

Courses based on IPT Courses predominantly based on IPT must provide skills in the following strategies, except those shown as optional Psycho-education Motivational interviewing (optional) Theory and principles underlying IPT, mental illnesses linked to four types of relationship difficulties (loss, role dispute, role transitions and interpersonal deficits) IPT training: explores consumer’s perceptions, expectations of others and relationships identifies problems with relationships uses the patient’s affect to bring about change problem-solves to achieve a resolution of relationship issues includes communication analysis and training includes role-play changed behaviour looks at use of the therapeutic relationship

Requirements

To satisfy the requirements of FPS ST, your course must contain:

• a minimum of 12 hours of face-to-face or live/interactive contact time (delivered over consecutive weekdays or a weekend)
• an additional interactive structured learning course of a minimum of eight hours
• a predisposing component
• a reinforcing component
• A recommended role play component to show FPS skills learnt

A reminder that the purpose of FPS ST activities is to educate GPs on the FPS intervention chosen, rather than a specific topic. When including topic education, it must be how a GP would use the intervention in relation to the topic, rather than on the topic itself.

Learning outcomes

Your GPMHSC-accredited FPS ST needs to adequately address each of the learning outcomes shown in Table 13.

Table 13. Learning outcomes and course content for FPS ST

Learning outcomes GPs will be able to:	Course content The course should include:
1.    Select evidence-based FPS intervention appropriate to consumer issues and needs outlined in the GPMHTP.	1.1  A brief discussion of Australia’s mental health care system (which can be included in pre-reading). 1.2  A discussion of the epidemiology and aetiology of mental disorders included for treatment under the Better Access initiative (which can be included in pre-reading). 1.3  For each condition covered: an outline of the relevant FPS treatment models that apply to particular disorders an outline of the modes of assessment an outline of how to best apply FPS interventions in general practice.
2.    Demonstrate evidence-based FPS intervention appropriate to consumer issues and needs within the context of general practice.	2.1  In CBT programs, a demonstration of techniques to provide CBT-based FPS to consumers as part of the treatment plan for their mental illness. 2.2  In IPT programs, a demonstration of techniques to provide IPT-based FPS to consumers as part of their treatment plan for their mental illness. 2.3  A discussion of the cultural, environmental and social influences that relate to the delivery and uptake of FPS. 2.4  A discussion of integrated FPS and pharmacological therapies, and the use of e-therapies. 2.5  A discussion of the progress and review of consumers with a known mental illness. 2.6  A discussion of safe closure/termination of FPS interventions.
3.    Incorporate the lived experience and needs of consumers, their carers and others in their network to inform provision of FPS.	Consumer experience 3.1  A discussion of the application of learnt FPS strategies in day-to-day life. 3.2  A discussion of helpful and challenging aspects of learnt FPS strategies 3.3  A discussion of how the GP assisted the consumer to navigate mental health services 3.4  A discussion of improvements that could be made to the primary healthcare system for consumers of mental health services and recommendations to address barriers to access. 3.5  Useful resources for consumers. Carer experience 3.6  A discussion of how the mental illness diagnosis of the consumer has affected the carer, their role as a carer, their life and their health and wellbeing. 3.7  A discussion of how GPs can best support carers and other support people via care coordination. 3.8  A discussion of the value of the GPMHTP and the carer role in the recovery journey. 3.9  A discussion of improvements that could be made to the primary healthcare system for carers of people accessing mental health services and recommendations to address barriers to access. 3.10 Useful resources for carers.
4.    Discuss the use of practice systems and strategies to provide safe and holistic mental health care in the context of general practice.	4.1  The implementation of systematic approaches to risk assessment and coordination of care for consumers 4.2  The application of knowledge of local services, resources and referral pathways relevant to consumers' needs to assist in their mental health care and recovery 4.3  The implementation of systematic approaches to manage the complexities of providing mental health, including strategies that acknowledge and support GP self-care and wellbeing.
5.    Discuss the engagement of regular supervision and other professional development to maintain and extend skills in the provision of FPS.	5.1  A discussion of the requirement for ongoing registration as a GP provider of FPS with Medicare, including the need to complete FPS CPD every triennium 5.2  A discussion of the different types of FPS CPD, including peer-group learning and Balint groups, that will help GPs reflect on and improve their FPS. 5.3  A discussion of and model principles of professional supervision, including information on registers or networks.
6.    Discuss appropriate MBS item numbers relating to the provision of mental health care within the context of general practice.	6.1  The application of MBS item numbers relating to the provision of FPS, including telehealth item numbers (i.e., video-conferencing and phone consultations).

 

Useful resource Developing GPMHSC-accredited Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training. Available at: https://gpmhsc.org.au/info-for-training-providers/developing-fps-st