Skip to main content
Table of contents

The GP mental health training framework

The GP mental health training framework (the ‘Framework’) has been developed according to the GPMHSC’s recommendations for GPs who deliver primary mental healthcare.

It contains:
  • a hierarchy of training levels relating to both the assessment and diagnosis of mental illness and the provision of FPS:
    • entry level – achieved after completing Level 1 training (for assessment and diagnosis) and Level 2 training (for provision of FPS)
    • intermediate level – areas that all GPs should aim to include in the course of regular professional development activities, taking into account the profile of their practice
    • advanced level – areas that GPs seeking advanced skills and knowledge in mental health (eg those who predominantly see patients for mental health issues) should aim to address.
  • the training activities that the GPMHSC recommends to GPs in achieving proficiency at each level (while not exhaustive, they broadly indicate areas of training you should consider when developing your skills in providing mental healthcare)
  • the Mental Health CPD and training that the GPMHSC recommends to GPs to ensure that their mental health skills and knowledge remain up to date.

Presumed areas of proficiency at the completion of undergraduate and prevocational training

The Framework presumes that, at the conclusion of undergraduate and prevocational training, a GP has achieved entry-level proficiency in the following areas:

  • general clinical skills, including communication, cultural competency and recording of patients’ medical history • knowledge of the general aetiology, epidemiology and prevalence of mental illness in the community
  • knowledge of the principles of psychiatric assessment and diagnosis
  • knowledge of common evidence-based pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments.

The GPMHSC recommends that GPs undertake training programs that refresh and broaden their undergraduate and prevocational skills and knowledge.

The Framework


Choosing training activities from the Framework

GPs are encouraged to complete a variety of mental health training activities from both training levels.

If GPs need advanced skills in mental healthcare, the GPMHSC encourages the selection of relevant activities as referred to in the Advanced Mental Health Skills Acknowledgement Position Statement.

Although the Framework does not address all possible variations of general practice, GPs can use it to plan their professional development in mental health at different stages during their career.
 

If you need advanced skills in mental healthcare, we encourage you to select relevant activities from the advanced level.

Although the Framework does not address all possible variations of general practice, you can use it to plan your professional development in mental health at different stages during your career.

Downloads

Mental-health-training-standards-2020-22_A-guide-for-GPs.pdf