Capital Health Network

Capital Health Network (CHN), ACT’s Primary Health Network, invites all GPs in the ACT and surrounding areas to attend our event: Mental Health Presentations in General Practice.

GPs in the ACT have reported a significant increase in patients presenting with mental health concerns in general practice, many of which have been exacerbated by the stress of the bushfires and COVID-19.

This educational event will introduce GPs to local specialist mental health professionals who will discuss strategies to assist GPs to assess, manage, refer and support patients within the constraints of a consultation period.

The event will focus on:

• Anxiety and depression
• Self-harm
• Eating disorders.

Presenters:

• Anxiety and Depression – Dr Tabitha Frew – Principal Clinical Psychologist, Ascentem
• Dr Nishad Samad (Staff specialist psychiatrist, Access MH)
• Self-harm – Dr Vanessa Essam– Clinical Psychologist and Director, Think Psychology Solutions
• Eating Disorders – Kathryn Bell, Clinical Psychologist, Eating Disorders Service Co-Ordinator, Eating Disorders Program, Canberra Health Services, ACT Government
• Eating Disorders – Dr Vivienne Lewis, Clinical Psychologist, Assistant Professor at University of Canberra.
• Georgia Houston Dietitian – MNutrDiet, GradDip NutritionalSc, BSc (Psych)

Learning outcomes:

1. Access HealthPathways to assist with assessment, management and referral of common mental health problems.

2. Use course reference material and specialist information to identify, assess, manage and refer patients with common mental health problems. 

3. Use HealthPathways mental health clinical and service directories to support management of mental health concerns.

4. Network with peers, mental health specialists and mental health service providers to optimise mental health management for patients.

This event is free and will include a catered High Tea (COVID-19 safety measures will be in place). This activity has been submitted for CPD Activity points.

This is an opportunity for Non-GP Specialists to be informed about CHN’s services with a focus on Digital Health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health programs and initiatives, and HealthPathways.

Coffee and breakfast will be provided.

Learning Outcomes

1. Be informed of what CHN does as a whole and what support you can receive from CHN.

2. Non-GP specialists to consider using Digital Health in their practices namely My Health Record, Electronic Prescriptions, Digital Health Specialist Toolkit, Secure Messaging and TeleHealth.

3. Provide targeted and enhanced healthcare to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

4. Use HealthPathways to support the assessment, management, and referral of patients within the localised health system, including inpatient, outpatient, and community services.

GPs are invited to hear about the BreastScreen Program. The event will include updated information on the use of procedures and modalities used to diagnose asymptomatic women with early breast cancer. The event also includes information on the evaluation of breast symptom(s) and the appropriate referral pathways for these clients.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify the target age group for BreastScreen ACT.

2. Describe the imaging modalities and procedures used in the multidisciplinary approach at BreastScreen ACT.

3. Determine the appropriate referral option for investigating symptomatic breast conditions and screening asymptomatic women.

4. Evaluate common breast symptoms.

5. How might this activity contribute to a systems-based safety outcome for your practice?