Support tool for GPs to navigate mental health care initiatives

In early 2007 the Ballarat and District Division of General Practice (BDDGP), collaborated with the University of Ballarat's Centre for Health Research and Practice, and the Centre for eCommerce and Communications to develop a web-based tool to support local GPs with the Better Access to Mental Health Care (BAMHC) Program. The aim of the project was to provide GPs from the BDDGP catchment with information about BAMHC to assist their decision making in treating and referring patients with mental health issues. The project was initiated following local GP demand and was funded by the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA), through BDDGP.

This project was guided by BDDGP staff and GP representatives. The content of the site was obtained from various resources (ie. DoHA; Australian Division of General Practice; Australian Psychological Society; BDDGP and other GP Divisions) and provides:

• a local, on-line resource for GPs (hosted through the BDDGP website)
• 7-stage decision support tool to assist GPs to make decisions and access resources about treating and referring patients under the BAMHC program
• on-line service directory comprising local allied mental health care professionals and psychiatrists from the region
• ‘Quicklinks' page containing useful resources about BAMHC, including sample GP Mental Health Care Plan, referral letter template, Medicare rebate information etc.

The website was officially launched in December 2007 and is accessible via the BDDGP website, or directly <mentalhealth.bddgp.org.au>

Feedback from GPs and website statistics since December has been positive. To highlight this, the average hits on the website from December 2007 until the end of March 2008 was 2920 (monthly) and 98 (daily). To ensure the ongoing success of this website, the content requires regular review and maintenance. The chosen method for presenting this information – as an internet tool box – will help to meet this requirement and will allow the tool to evolve over time to ensure that it best meets the needs of GPs.

Mary Shone
Mental Health and GP Well Being Coordinator, BDDGP
P: 03 5331 6303
E: marys@bddgp.org.au

Alison Ollerenshaw
Research Officer
Centre for Health Research & Practice
University of Ballarat
P: 03 5327 9629
E: a.ollerenshaw@ballarat.edu.au