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Developing Mental Health CPD and Focussed Psychological Strategies CPD courses

Types of CPD

As shown in the GP Mental Health Training Framework, GPs can complete two types of CPD related to mental health:

  • MH CPD
  • FPS CPD


Mental Health CPD

Building on the topics covered in MHST, MH CPD courses aim to extend the GP’s skills in assessing and managing mental illnesses in the context of general practice.

The GPMHSC strongly encourages GPs to complete a variety of MH CPD courses as part of their ongoing professional development requirements, even though it is not necessary. We advise them that completing clinical enhancement modules and CPD is a good way of keeping their mental health skills and knowledge up to date and ensuring that they have a broad knowledge across several areas.


MH CPD topics we require

We strongly recommend you consider developing MH CPD courses that address the following topics that are in high demand: Other topics you could consider addressing in your MH CPD courses:
  • trauma-informed care and practice
  • child and adolescent mental health
  • domestic family violence
  • addictions/alcohol and other drugs
  • other areas that may be relevant to communities in which GPs practice.
  • affective disorders
  • anxiety disorders
  • bodily distress disorders
  • substance-use disorders
  • eating disorders
  • suicide prevention: undertaking risk assessments, recognising and responding to those at risk of suicide
  • mental health first aid training
  • interpersonal skills training: relationships, rapport, communication skills, interview skills.


Learning outcomes for MH CPD

After completing MH CPD courses, GPs will have:
  • a broader and/or deeper set of skills and knowledge about mental health than they attained in MHST
  • a broader and/or deeper set of skills to detect mental illness
  • a broader and/or deeper set of skills to assess and manage common mental illnesses.


FPS CPD

FPS CPD must expand on the skills and knowledge GPs acquired in FPS ST, and must educate on the FPS interventions approved under the Better Access Initiative.
The GPMHSC recommends that GPs consider provision of FPS to other specific populations including. We encourage you to include them in your courses:
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • those experiencing domestic family violence
  • addictions/alcohol and other drugs
  • people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
  • children and adolescents


Learning outcomes for FPS CPD

After completing FPS CPD courses, GPs will have:
  • a broader and/or deeper set of skills and knowledge about FPS than they attained in FPS ST
  • enhanced skills in selecting and demonstrating evidence-based FPS interventions appropriate to consumers’ issues and needs.
  • An ability to further provide FPS in the context of general practice


Course requirements:

It is recommended that FPS CPD be 6 hours in length, the yearly CPD requirement for GPs who are registered and wish to maintain their registration.
 
It is recommended providers include consumers and carers in their CPD courses, meeting the gold standard CPD requirement.Additional information
Developing GPMHSC-accredited Mental health CPD. Available at: https://gpmhsc.org.au/info-for-training-providers/developing-mental-health-cpd
Developing GPMHSC-accredited Focussed Psychological Strategies CPD Available at: https://gpmhsc.org.au/info-for-training-providers/developing-fps-cpd