Terminology

Better Access initiative

An Australian Government initiative that gives Medicare rebates to eligible people so they can access mental health services from GPs, other medical practitioners, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists.²

Carer

A person who provides, or has provided, ongoing personal care, support, advocacy and/or assistance to a person with a mental illness, in a non-professional role.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

A focused approach that is based on the concept that thoughts influence feelings and behaviours, and that subsequent behaviours and emotions can influence cognitions.³

Consumer

A person who has personal experience of mental illness and of their recovery journey, and who has accessed mental health services.

Continuing professional development

The means by which members of a profession maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge, expertise and competence, and develop the personal qualities required in their professional lives.⁴

Course content

The educational content, specific to relevant learning outcomes, that GPMHSC-accredited training providers need to deliver in a course accredited by the GPMHSC.

Interpersonal therapy (IPT)

A brief, structured approach that addresses interpersonal issues. The underlying assumption of IPT is that causes of depression and psychological distress can often be traced to aspects of the patient’s social functioning (relationships and social roles).³

Learning outcomes

What learners or participants will be able to demonstrate after completing GPMHSC-accredited training.

Medicare

Australia’s universal health insurance scheme. Also known as Services Australia (Medicare).

Mental disorder

The term used by the Better Access initiative to refer to mental illness. See Mental illness.

Mental illness

A clinically diagnosable disorder, subjectively experienced by a person, that significantly interferes with their cognitive, emotional or social abilities.⁵

Personal lived experience

First-hand perspectives gained from experiences of mental health challenges, the use of services, diagnosis and recovery.⁶

Predisposing component

Mandatory educational component of a course that participants complete before the delivery of the course. Examples include reading articles and pre-course surveys.

Reinforcing component

Mandatory educational component of a course that participants complete after the delivery of the course, which consolidates the participant’s learning. Examples include follow-up surveys and discussions on implemented changes or improvements in practice.

Skills training

The specific knowledge, abilities, skills and attitudes required to access, manage and provide ongoing mental health care in the context of general practice, either through preparing General Practice Mental Health Treatment Plans (GP MHTPs) and/or providing FPS.

Structured interactive learning

A highly interactive course (delivered face-to-face or via e-learning) that focuses on participant engagement and active learning.

ACRRM

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine

CBT

cognitive behavioural therapy

CPD

continuing professional development

FPS

focussed psychological strategies

FPS CPD

Focussed Psychological Strategies Continuing Professional Development

FPS ST

Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training

GP

general practitioner

GPMHSC

General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration

GP MHTP

General Practice Mental Health Treatment Plan

ICD-10

ICD-11

International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision

International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision

IPT

interpersonal therapy

MBA

Medical Board of Australia

MBS

Medicare Benefits Schedule

MH CPD

Mental Health Continuing Professional Development

MHST

Mental Health Skills Training

PDP

Professional Development Program

RACGP

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners