Postgraduate handbook 2004
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Graduate Certificate in General Practice Psychiatry

The aim of this course is to provide a structured study for general practitioners who wish to expand their knowledge and skills in psychiatry, to meet their own personal and professional needs as well as the needs of the community in which they practice.

This course is available by off-campus learning mode to registered general practitioners engaged in part-time or full-time practice. It has been developed with the cooperation of both Monash and Melbourne universities, including four departments:

• Department of General Practice - Monash University
• Department of Psychological Medicine - Monash University
• Department of Psychiatry - University of Melbourne
• Department of General Practice and Public Health - University of Melbourne

The program is supported by:

• The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Victorian Faculty
• The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Victorian branch

The course aims to address the need for general practitioners to improve their skills in managing patients suffering from psychiatric conditions in the primary care setting.

On completion of the course, students should be able to:

• appreciate the content and context of psychiatric illness in the community and in general practice
• adequately detect and diagnose mental health problems in general practice
• effectively assess and manage a range of common psychiatric conditions and refer when necessary to specialists services
• involve themselves in shared care of psychiatric patients with both acute and chronic problems
• communicate effectively and empathetically with patients with psychiatric illness and with their families and carers.

Course structure

The 24-credit-point course is conducted part-time over two semesters and comprises the following units:

First semester

• CGP1001 Introduction to general practice psychiatry
• CGP1002 Depression and other mood disorders
• CGP1003 Anxiety
• CGP1006 Stress management

Second semester

• CGP1004 Alcohol and drugs
• CGP1005 Introduction to psychotherapy
• CGP1007 Introduction to family therapy

Assessment

Assessment is by written assignments based on case discussions and case management, reflective journals, case commentaries and clinical audit.

Inquiries

Inquiries should be directed to Ms Julieanne Tilbury, Department of General Practice, 867 Centre Road, East Bentleigh, Victoria 3165, telephone (03) 9579 3188 or email julieanne.tilbury@med.monash.edu.au. Website http://www.med.monash.edu.au/general-practice/teaching/grad_studies.html.

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