MPM5202 - Advanced skills in primary care and community psychiatry

Leader: Associate Professor Carol Harvey

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

This selective will examine the theory and practice of the provision of mental health services to the population in primary care and community settings. Seminars will address issues related to the primary care setting; focus on the mental health issues and service delivery in community settings and finally; review selected psychosocial treatment strategies, with an emphasis on enhancing students' skills.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, students will be able:

1. To describe the incidence, prevalence, distinct and common presentations of psychiatric disorders in primary care and in general practice.
2. To describe the factors which affect treatment outcome and the influences of lifestyle, social, cultural and environmental factors in promoting health and preventing disease.
3. To apply the various biological, psychological, social and cultural models to the understanding and treatment of psychiatric disorders in primary care and the community. This will include acknowledgement and respect of the role and contribution of significant others (relatives, general practitioners, other professionals) to the assessment, treatment and recovery of people with mental illness in the community. Students should be able to develop and implement a clear plan of care that integrates biological, psychological and social interventions according to the needs of each individual patient and takes account of the context in which the person is treated.
4. To describe and apply the principles and practice of providing effective mental health treatments including modern rehabilitation techniques in diverse settings ranging from primary care and the community, hospital and outpatient clinics to long-term care, rehabilitation and recovery for those people with well-established psychiatric disorders living in the community.
5. To appraise the various ethical, cultural, socio-economic, practical and political factors which influence the health care and social welfare systems when providing services for the individual. This includes sensitivity to the impact of illness on patients, families or carers and the wider community, and to strive to balance the needs of the patients with those of the family or carers and the community.
6. To demonstrate the confidence to interpret and disseminate relevant scientific information in relation to public debate on psychosocial and public health issues relevant to mental health and mental illness.

Assessment

Presentation 40%, Written review 1500 words 60%.

Contact hours

3.5 hours per week attending seminars x 6 weeks

Prerequisites

MPM Year 1 units