COURSE OVERVIEW

The online Core Module of Mental Health Skills Training equips practitioners with the skills to provide evidence-based, patient-centred care to people living with a mental illness. The course introduces skills and techniques to detect, assess and review patients with mental health issues including screening under the Mental Health Better Access Initiative. It teaches practitioners how to conduct mental health interviews and develop and review Mental Health Plans.

This course is ideal for medical practitioners who wish to manage mental health to improve patient outcomes, specifically to be able to identify and treat mental health issues and to work collaboratively with other professionals in the field. The course is delivered by GPs with a special interest in mental health and reviewed by mental health professionals.

This module is the first of two modules in the MHST modular pathway. The MHST modular pathway is designed for more experienced GPs who assess, treat and manage complex mental health issues in their practices. Practitioners completing this Core Module and a Clinical Enhancement Module will be eligible to claim MBS item numbers.

 

Professional Certificate of Mental Health LEARN MORE   Clinical Enhancement Module of Mental Health Skills Training: PTSD: Trauma &   Stressor Related Disorders LEARN MORE   Mental Health Skills Training: Core Module   YOU ARE HERE

 


  • Clinical audits relating to specific topics within the course. 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND COURSE REQUISITES

This Mental Health Skills Training: Core Module is for medical practitioners who wish to manage mental health to improve patient outcomes, specifically to be able to identify and treat mental health issues and to work collaboratively with other professionals in the field, where appropriate.

This course is for physicians only. There are no prerequisites. Participants do not have to pass an IELTS test but, as the courses are delivered in English, proficiency in listening, reading and writing English is assumed.

Participants will require access to a computer/laptop, an internet connection and a basic level of technology proficiency to access and navigate the online learning portal.

Professionally recognised qualifications and prior studies may be recognised for entry into this course if the learning outcomes match exactly. Please ask a HealthCert Education Advisor for an individual assessment of your prior qualifications and experience.

COURSE CONTENTS

  • Detecting, assessing & treating mental health issues
  • Mental health interviews
  • Developing GP mental health treatment plans
  • Providing ongoing mental health care
  • Identifying services & resources to safeguard patient safety
  • Using appropriate MBS item numbers relating to provision of mental health care within the context of general practice


Course participants will:

  • Have the opportunity to replay video lectures from medical experts.
  • Participate in discussion of patient cases, evaluate and make decisions.
  • Receive access to research/readings in the field.
  • Participate in course webinars prior to the examinations and ask questions.
  • Receive ongoing support post-course through webinars and case review.
  • Receive unlimited and ongoing access to free alumni learning resources, video lectures, and discussion forums, as well as invite-only events and special offers after completion of the course.

COURSE OUTLINE

Module 1: Geriatric and palliative medicine

This module briefly revisits the history of cannabis use and its legislation in Australia in 2016. Two main cannabinoids are distinguished: THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol). The module describes common and rare side effects, results and varied responses of patients to medicinal cannabis. Medicinal cannabis does not work equally for everyone – dosages vary and outcomes are different for each patient. The module describes the use of cannabinoids to relieve pain in patients with malignant diseases compared to placebos. Four case studies demonstrate how medicinal cannabis can be considered for geriatric and palliative care treatment. In conclusion, medicinal cannabis may have a legitimate role for certain patients in certain circumstances and each patient’s management is to be individually considered.

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SPECIAL RATES AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

REGISTRARS
SCHOLARSHIP

Save up to $300

For doctors in training who are on a pathway to General Practice Registration through a recognised training provider.
COURSE
BUNDLES

Save up to $568

Enrol in two or three courses within the same education pathway to optimise your savings.
DEFERRED
PAYMENTS

Monthly from $395

Enrol in one, two or three courses within a pathway now and pay later in small monthly instalments.
*The individual offers and special rates cannot be used in conjunction with any other specials. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT AVAILABLE PAYMENT OPTIONS

Meet your instructors

HealthCert has a high-quality team of esteemed experts and industry professionals to deliver this course. This Core Module is written and presented by Dr Alice Lam. Dr Anoop Jalota prepared and led the role play patient interviews.
Alice Lam

Dr Alice Lam

MBChB, FRACGP

Dr Alice Lam is a general practitioner passionate about evidence-based medicine and education for medical professionals and their patients. She has over 23 years of medical experience in Australia and overseas. Dr Lam graduated from the University of Manchester, UK and practised both as a locum and partner. Since 2008, she has worked as a GP in Melbourne, Australia. Her other interests include digital health, health writing and education for health professionals and patients.

Anoop Jalota

Dr Anoop Jalota

FRACGP, MBBS

Dr Anoop Jalota is an experienced GP with international experience. He practises in Wollongong, since moving there from New Zealand, he is currently the Cluster Leader for the Central Illawarra area.

COURSE DELIVERY

The Mental Health Skills Training Core Module is fully delivered online. Participants can enjoy the flexibility to study at their own pace, in their own time, within their home or office, and on their favourite mobile device. The modules are set up in such a way that participants are not required to be online at specific times but can view and replay the video lectures at their convenience.

Once this core module and a GPMHST-approved Clinical Enhancement module on mental health are completed, Australian physicians may be eligible for Medicare billing rebates for mental health skills training. HealthCert offers the Clinical Enhancement Module of Mental Health Skills Training: PTSD – Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders.

The webinars offer the opportunity to join and interact with the presenters online in real-time but can also be viewed later. There are no face-to-face requirements for exams which can be conveniently completed online within three months of the exam opening date. With no travel, accommodation or out-of-office expenses incurred, participants can build critical skills and tailor their career while working in a busy practice or raising a family.

There is one module in this course. The course includes online presentations from experts in the field followed by patient case discussions and decision-making. There is a final webinar prior to examinations. You will also receive valuable 12 months' web-based support from the speakers and participate in regular online learning sessions with the opportunity to ask any questions you might have as you implement your learning. 

The course includes: 

  • All presentation slides available for download.
  • Access to additional learning resources, reference materials and video lectures.
  • Readings with references to peer-reviewed journal articles to keep up-to-date with developments in the field.

ASSESSMENT

There are two online examinations for assessment:

  1. Knowledge questions based on a scenario of a medical practitioner undertaking special interest training.
    Choose the correct answer multiple choice questions based on presentations.
  2. Authentic scenario-based questions based on cases of patient care at a clinic.
    Example: A patient arrives at your clinic with this problem …what should you do? Multiple choice images based on patient cases.

The knowledge-based examination is worth 50 per cent and the application-based examination is worth 50 per cent. The overall pass mark is 80 per cent. It is therefore not possible to pass this course on knowledge alone. Knowledge must be successfully applied to patient cases in order to pass the course. Examination questions are presented progressively throughout the course.

HealthCert recommends completion of the assessment at your convenience within three months of enrolling in the online course.

CERTIFICATION AND ACCREDITATION

CMMHE certificate image

Upon successful completion of the exam, course participants will receive a certificate in Mental Health Skills Training: Core Module, and CPD hours. Please contact us for more information.

This course is recognised by GPMHSC as a Core Module of the modular Mental Health Skills Training. For practitioners who are working towards qualifying for the MBS rebates for mental health, HealthCert offers a Clinical Enhancement Module of Mental Health Skills Training: PTSD to qualify for Medicare rebates. Completing this Core Module + the Clinical Enhancement module qualifies doctors for MBS items 2715 and 2717 (or equivalent item numbers for non-VR GPs). The course is also recognised towards the HealthCert Professional Certificate of Mental Health.

 

This Core Module:

  • Is reviewed by Griffith University in compliance with RACGP/ACRRM standards.
  • Is accredited by the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC).
  • Qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
  • Qualifies for CPD hours from the Australian Council of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
  • Meets World Federation of Medical Education standards.
  • Is recognised by Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP). The RNZCGP recognises all courses endorsed by the RACGP. Peer review and audit are compulsory.
  • Is a self-submitted activity in Dubai. The number of CPD hours must be stated on the certificate. Please contact PLD@dhcr.gov.ae for more information.
  • Is a self-submitted activity in the UK. CPD events overseas, applicable to a doctor’s scope of practice, may be submitted for revalidation. Please confirm with your Responsible Officer.
  • Is a self-submitted activity in Canada through the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Please contact mainprocredits@cfpc.ca for more information.

EDUCATION PATHWAYS

The Mental Health Skills Training: Core Module will provide Recognition of Prior Learning into other HealthCert qualifications with the same content thereby reducing the time and cost to complete the next qualification.
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