Better Outcomes In Mental Health (BOiMH)


Overview

This program is funded by the Australian Government and aims to support GPs in improving the quality of care provided through general practice to Australians with a mental health disorder.  This is achieved through the provision of mental health education and training for GPs and more support for their patients from allied health professionals and psychiatrists.  GPs can refer eligible patients to appropriately trained allied health providers to support patients who would otherwise be disadvantaged in accessing these services.  Brisbane South Division has also contracted the services of a Vietnamese speaking psychologist, and a specialist child and family therapist.

 

Objectives

The objective of the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Program is to form a comprehensive system of primary mental health care, which is focused on continuity of care and quality mental health outcomes.

 

Program Details

The Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Program requires GPs to use the GP Mental health Treatment Plan (MBS item 2710).

The most prominent component of the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Program is the Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) component.  All Divisions of General Practice in Australia are delivering ATAPS programs to support their GPs and their community.  Divisions ATAPS projects closely align with the Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative in that both programs enable GPs to refer their patients to allied health professionals to receive professional psychological support.

 

The Process

1. Referral to BOiMH must be initiated by a GP who completes a Mental Health Treatment Plan (item number 2710) as well as a K10 assessment tool. 

    Mental Health Treatment Plan


2.   Eligibilty for BOiMH must be established.

In order to compliment Better Access, GP's are required to refer patients from one of the following:


1. Financially disavantaged
2. Youth i.e. under 25 yrs
3. Mental Health & Drugs& Alcohol Comorbidity
4. Culturally and linguistically disadvanted (CALD)
Inclusion Criteria:
  • The person is aged 3 years or above 
  • The GP believes that the patient would benefit from intervention with focused psychological strategies and that the patient is motivated to actively participate in therapy aimed at helping them develop strategies to overcome their difficulties. 
  • The patient is not currently in crisis and is not a risk to themselves or others 
  •  K10 score above 15
Exclusion Criteria:
  • The patient is already a client of existing public mental health services - or has been referred in the past 12 months to BOiMH 
  • The patient has a primary diagnosis of personality Disorder 
  • The patient is actively experiencing psychotic or manic symptoms 
  • The patient has an intellectual disability 
  • The primary issue relates to smoking cessation or drug dependence 
  • If the patient's condition is currently acute and requiring crisis intervention and assessment of suicide risk.

3. Patient is given the Patient Information Sheet and signs the Consent and Confidentiality Form. 

4. The GP faxes a BOiMH Referral to the Divison who coordinate patient bookings with the allied health providers.

5. The GP gives a copy of the Mental Health Treatment Plan to the patient to give to the allied health provider.

6. Brisbane South Division pays for the treatment costs for up to six (6) psychologically focused sessions. The strategies and treatments that have been approved for use by GPs are limited to:


i. Psycho-education
ii. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 

    • Behavioural Interventions such as behaviour modification, exposure techniques and activity scheduling
    • Cognitive Interventions such as cognitive analysis, challenging and restructuring, self-instructional training and attention regulation
    • Relaxation Strategies guided imagery, deep muscle and isometric relaxation
    • Skills Training such as problem solving skills training, anger management, stress management, communication training, social skills training, parent management training, motivational interviewing

iii.  Interpersonal Therapy

7. At the completion of the six sessions, the allied health provider gives the GP a brief report, outlining treatment outcomes, treatment plans for the future, outcomes of measures and any recommendations.

8. The patient returns to the GP for a mental health review appointment to discuss their treatment progress. (item number 2712) If necessary the GP will request a further 6 sessions.

 

 Program Achievements 

  • Increased access to psychological services for patients 
  • Improved mental health outcomes for patients 
  • Improved satisfaction of care for patients 
  • Increased awareness of referral choices to allied health professionals 
  • Improved communication and collaboration between GPs and allied health professionals

 

Contact Us


Email: info@brisbanesouth.com.au
Phone 07 3274 1886