RACGP rural focussed psychological strategies online training

The RACGP Rural FPS ST training package provides GPs with essential training to enable them to become a GP provider of Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) and provide CBT-derived FPS counselling to patients in their practice.

This flexible, innovative training package uses a combination of technology, peer learning groups and locally available resources to provide GPs with access to FPS skills training whist remaining in their practice and community.

The 2022 intakes are now open and GPs who wish to participate can register.

• Intake 1: 17 January – 22 April 2022
• Intake 2: 14 March – 17 June 2022
• Intake 3: 19 April – 22 July 2022
• Intake 4: 23 May – 26 August 2022
• Intake 5: 11 July – 14 October 2022
• Intake 6: 15 August – 18 November 2022
• Intake 7: 19 September – 23 December 2022

Please note, Level 1 – Mental Health Skills Training (MHST) is a prerequisite for enrolment in the FPS ST training package.

Training outline

The course is comprised of four modules:

Module 1: Clinical audit – Antidepressant prescribing in general practice

This structured clinical audit activity enables GPs to review their use of antidepressant medications against best practice guidelines, consider non-pharmacological treatment options, and use this information to develop and implement quality improvement strategies in their clinical practice.

Module 2: Cognitive behavioural therapy skills for general practice

This online module, completed via the gplearning platform, equips participants to understand the theory and practice of CBT and how it can be applied to the treatment of common issues like depression and anxiety.

Module 3: Case consultation

Participants will begin applying what they have learned by providing CBT – derived FPS counselling to patients in their usual practice while being supported via online/teleconference peer group case consultation sessions lead by an experienced GP provider of FPS. GP participants will be allocated to a case-based discussion group and will be required to participate in a minimum of three of the four allocated case-based discussion teleconference sessions (these are typically held fortnightly from 7:30-9:30 pm AEDT on a weeknight).

Module 4: Mental health consumer and carer perspectives

In this module, GPs will participate in a facilitated webinar in which both a mental health consumer and carer are interviewed about their lived experiences, providing valuable insight to GPs treating mental health conditions.