F o c u s s e d P s y c h o l o g i c a l S t r a t e g i e s

A b o u t F P S

C o u r s e P re - re q u i s i t e sCurrent Medicare Provider number/s.Successfully completed level 1 MHST R e q u i r e m e n t sCompletion of an accredited FPS ST (20 hours minimum; 12 hour minimum face to face/live interactive training; 8 hour minimum interactive structured learning activity). I t e m n u m b e r sCompletion of the training package will allow GPs to claim MBS Item Numbers 2721, 2723, 2725 and 2727 for provision of FPS. O n g o i n g r e q u i r e m e n t sFPS CPD extends GP skills in the provision of focussed psychological strategies (FPS). It builds on the skills acquired through FPS ST. FPS CPD activities need to be completed by GPs who are registered as FPS providers in each triennium in order to continue to access the MBS item numbers.

Level 2/36 Russell Street, South Brisbane Q 4101 T: 07 3105 8300 E: info@checkup.org.au

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This is a learning program for

General Practitioners who have an

interest in mental health and wish

to develop their skills to provide

treatment for the most common

mental health problems—depression,

anxiety and post-traumatic stress.

When the comorbidities of

depression, anxiety, substance abuse,

and domestic violence occur together

there are very few services or

research that provide answers to a

holistic approach in caring for that

patient. The GP however becomes

all the more crucial in providing this

care and assisting to ‘pull together the

pieces.’

The FPS ST package provides a

flexible approach with eight hours

of online modules to provide the

background and knowledge required

to deliver FPS followed by two face-

to-face workshops of six hours each

which are primarily activity based and

feature demonstration of techniques,

videos, supervised practice of skills, a

consumer and carer panel discussion

and case-based discussions.

For further information or to register your interest in completing this training contact Kat Murray, on 07 3105 8300 or kmurray@checkup.org.au.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the requirements for a Mental Health Plan including the appropriate MBS item number(s) and the steps leading to the provision of FPS

• Ability to select an appropriate evidence-based FPS cognitive intervention relevant to consumer need(s) including when working with consumers from culturally diverse backgrounds or when comorbid factors exist.

• Understand the experience of mental illness from the perspective of consumers and their families/carers

• Confidence to utilise the range of FPS techniques in a consultation

• Use the practice’s systems to identify local services and resources that safeguard consumer safety and assist in providing appropriate mental healthcare to consumers.

• Recognise PTSD and importance of GP intervention to reduce the likelihood of the development of other conditions e.g. depression.

• Understand the role and requirements of Allied Health providers in the provision of FPS

• Structure and evaluate typical FPS session

“Focussed psychological strategies are specific mental health care management strategies, derived from evidence based psychological therapies that have been shown to integrate the best research evidence of clinical effectiveness with general practice clinical expertise.”

Source: Australian Government - The Department of Health