Mental health
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) provides a Mental Health Disorders Training for Rural Practitioners course online throughout the year. This course has a specialised focus on rural and remote Australia by addressing issues such as isolation and drought and is run online over a four week period.
The content of the course has been developed by leading general practitioners, mental health nurses, carers, consumers, psychiatrists, and psychologists who are committed to mental health and primary medical care.
This course provides you with:
- discussion-based learning, both during and after the session, with participants able to learn from one another within the virtual classroom
- an opportunity to learn in after office hours so as to not interfere with clinical time
- the ability to attend from wherever you are throughout rural and remote Australia, and
- ·opportunities to make up two sessions if they are missed.
The course addresses the skills required for effective treatment in mental health, and is focused around the three tasks of mental health care:
- assessment
- planning, and
- review.
Medicare item numbers
After successful completion of the course your attendance will be reported to the GPMHSC then Medicare, which will allow you access to Medicare item numbers 2715 and 2717.
Accreditation
| ACRRM Professional Development Program |
- 20 Practice Reflective Professional Development (PRPD) points
- MHST MOPS.
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Aims and objectives
The course aims [more]
- to increase the capacity of rural medical practitioners in mental health care
- to increase the availability of rural medical practitioners trained in mental health for patients in rural and remote areas
- to improve rural medical practitioners skill in educating patients about mental disorders, and
- to develop networks of rural medical practitioners interested in mental health care who can offer peer support and discussion.
The course learning objectives [more]
- assess a patient with depression, anxiety, or somatisation disorder
- assess suicidal risk and institute appropriate preventive strategies on an individual and community level
- describe a range of psychotherapeutic techniques appropriate for use in general practice
- identify the issues and resources available for patients with physical or substance use comorbidity
- identify formal and informal resources available locally and by distance for their patients and carers and families
- apply mental health education resources for patients in an individualised way
- acquire the knowledge to prepare mental health care plans for patients
- help patients develop and institute a personal relapse prevention plan, and
- develop an on-going learning plan to continue your mental health education.
Requirements [more]
You can participate in our real-time virtual classroom from the comfort of your home or practice. The emphasis of the course is on interactive participation and reflective learning. There are four weekly sessions that consist of self directed activities, via ACRRM Online Learning, and peer discussions, hosted via virtual classroom. Assessment and evaluation will consist of a number of activities:
- participation in a minimum of three of the four virtual classroom sessions (the missed session must be listened to by recording after the live session takes place)
- completion of the Learner Needs and Expectation Survey
- completion of the Barriers to Mental Health Care in the Rural Setting activity
- completion of the reflective activity after each online session
- completion of the Course Evaluation, and
- participation in discussion forums.
System Requirements
To participate in ACRRM virtual classrooms via a Mac or Windows based computer:
- use a headset / headphones with microphone
- ensure a stable internet connection (preferably broadband)
To access a virtual classroom by iOS or Android mobile or tablet:
- download the Bb Student by Blackboard App from Apple App Store or the Google Play Store
- use headphones with microphone
- ensure a stable internet connection (preferably broadband)
It is important to check that the computer or device, and the equipment is compatible with the Virtual Classroom portal used for these sessions prior to enrolling. To check the compatibility, and for further information, visit our Virtual classroom test page.