Mental Health
competency based
Learning Objectives
The
registrar will be able to:
Communication Skills and the Doctor-Patient Relationship
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recognise and assess mental health problems
in the early stages of illness, and understand the importance of doing so; |
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work with patients, acknowledging their
dignity and respecting their attitudes, values and beliefs; |
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use different counselling approaches, provide
support, and outline appropriate referral agencies (e.g. for bereavement,
inter-personal stress management, and angry/frightened patients); |
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communicate effectively with patients with
mental health problems, their family, carers, and management teams; |
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work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in
the case management of people with mental health problems; |
Applied Professional Knowledge and Skills
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take a mental health history that emphasises
the patient’s strengths and enhances their self esteem; |
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differentiate normal life events and the
patient’s reaction to them from overt mental illness (e.g. where the patient
presents with relationship problems, somatisation anxiety/panic disorders,
depression, eating disorders or the effects of unemployment); |
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outline the indicators and management of ‘at
risk’ people (e.g. serious mental illness; violence, sexual abuse, suicide
risk). This includes an understanding of the importance of early intervention
and continuity of care; |
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help the patient manage normal life events,
so as to enhance their coping skills and prevent secondary morbidity (e.g.
post traumatic stress disorder, drug related disorders, adverse situational
life events); |
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discuss the principles of family therapy,
group therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy and psychosocial education; |
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outline the principles of handling a mental
health crisis; |
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initiate appropriate counselling, whilst
identifying their own limitations; |
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co-ordinate the care of mental health
patients at a level which is appropriate to the context in which they are
working (e.g. patients with schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder,
psychosis, ADD); |
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demonstrate the appropriate use of
psychotherapeutic agents; |
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outline the principles of detoxification and
withdrawal; |
Population Health and the Context of General Practice
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practice mental health promotion and
preventive approaches, in line with the recommendations in the National Mental
Health Policy; |
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recognise and address the needs of carers,
siblings and the children of those with mental health problems (e.g. issues
relating to dysfunctional families, stepfamilies, scapegoating, HIV, and
psycho-geriatric patients); |
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work effectively with available community and
hospital resources in the care of patients with mental health problems; |
Professional and Ethical Role
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describe how their own personal values,
attitudes, and beliefs may impact on the patient-doctor relationship and
subsequent management; |
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understand the need for, and maintain
confidentiality in the management of mental health patients; |
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adhere to the appropriate boundaries in the
patient-doctor relationship and avoid behaviours that would breach these
boundaries with mentally ill patients; |
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recognise and take into account their own
strengths, vulnerabilities, personal values, gender and cultural issues,
attitudes and beliefs in relation to mental health management; |
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discuss how to increase community awareness
of mental illness, as a means of reducing the stigma; |
Organisational and Legal Dimensions
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outline the current mental health legislation
and procedures for the certification of involuntary patients (e.g. powers of
attorney, Mental Health Act, Guardianship and Administration Board Act,
Freedom of Information Act); |
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discuss policy guidelines on accessibility,
confidentiality, and continuity of care; |
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recognise signs of depression/mental illness
in colleagues and provide debriefing, support and appropriate referral; |
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outline self-care strategies and avenues for
debriefing when caring for mental health patients. |
Source:
RACGP Mental Health 
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