The Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) guidance is an initiative of the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care. The IAR provides a standardised, evidence based and objective approach to assist general practitioners (GPs) and mental health clinicians to recommend a level of care for their patients.
The Initial Assessment and Referral complements your clinical judgement to estimate the intensity of the mental health response a person might need based on eight diagnostic domains and five levels of care.
As the most consulted health professionals in Australia, GPs are often the first point of contact for people seeking mental health support. A GP/General Practice may be the only point of care for patients requiring support with their mental health.
People seeking mental health support may present with a range of factors that can make it challenging for health professionals to determine the most appropriate level of care. The GP patient relationship places GPs in a unique position where they may notice symptoms or changes in symptoms and can effectively monitor chronic mental illness. Discussions around mental health can also arise during patient consultation for other health matters and GPs can implement early interventions for those at risk.
The IAR and decision support tool has been developed to assist GPs (and other referrers) in finding the most suitable level of care for their patients.
Widespread use of the IAR guidance and the decision support tool will create a common language across general practice and the mental health sector to communicate about a person’s treatment needs.
The IAR guidance aims to improve awareness and transparency of how decisions about the appropriateness of referrals are made. This can reduce frustration and save time managing rejected referrals and improve the experience of the person seeking support.
Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) assists general practitioners, registrars and mental health clinicians in recommending the most suitable level of care for their patients seeking mental health support.
Training in the use of the IAR supports GPs and mental health clinicians to understand how the tool is being used across the sector and supports a consistent approach and standardised language for initial assessment and referral.
This is an RACGP and ACRRM CPD approved education activity.
The following dates are open for registration:
Click here to see upcoming National Training opportunities and register.
The IAR provides primary healthcare providers with a nationally consistent evidence based and objective approach for patients seeking mental health support. It is a useful tool for GPs to support or confirm clinical judgement while ensuring the person seeking mental health support is matched to the care that most suits their needs at the time.
Implementing the IAR into primary healthcare settings will:
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Gippsland PHN is committed to providing inclusive services and work environments where people of all backgrounds, sexualities, genders, cultures, spiritual beliefs, age, bodies and abilities are valued, supported and celebrated.
Gippsland PHN acknowledges the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people/s as the traditional Custodians of Country across the Gippsland region.
We acknowledge the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people/s continuing connection to Land, Water and Community.
We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People/s, Cultures, and their Elders past and present.
We also recognise, respect and affirm the central role played in our work by people with lived experience, their families and/or carers.
Gippsland PHN acknowledges Alfie Hudson for the healing circles artwork. Alfie is a Gunai Kurnai man and created this artwork which represents health professionals being committed to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members for the best health outcomes.
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