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.
Gippsland PHN is providing IAR training and you are invited to participate.
Training provides you with:
Workshop 1 is a 30 minute online training workshop accessed via Open Learning:
This workshop introduces the following:
Workshop 2 is a 90 minute interactive workshop (zoom or face to face):
This interactive workshop covers:
Click here to see upcoming training dates and register
If you do not find a date that suits you or any other questions you have about the IAR training, please contact iar@gphn.org.au
GPs and GP Registrars who complete IAR training will:
Receive $300 (plus GST) remuneration* and can claim 30 minutes Reviewing Performance and 1.5 hrs Educational Activities through RACGP.
*Payment is available to GPs and GP registrars. This one-off payment is not available to other medical staff, clinicians or GPs working with Adult Mental Health Centres or Aboriginal Medical Services already funded by the Government.
The Open Learning Platform provides access to online education ranging from vocational education to professional learning on a vast range of topics. Registration is free.
Tip: If you find the access code is not working for you, please check there is not an extra space after the last digit of the code and remove it. A space can sometimes be automatically applied in a copy/paste action and it will prevent the code from working for you.
Gippsland PHN will be notified when you have registered and completed training.
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:
The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care is developing user journeys to help define where the IAR decision support tool is best placed within a GP workflow. A co-design process will commence in mid 2023 with the aim of integrating it into practice software.
Yes. GPs and GP Registrars are eligible for the remuneration of $300.00 (plus GST) for completing both training workshops. Gippsland PHN will collect the required information from you to process your remuneration upon completion of training.
2 hours for online training via Open Learning and Gippsland PHN over two sessions.
2.5 hours for online National Training.
Training sessions are delivered in two workshops:
Workshop 1: Open Learning – self paced pre-recorded learning
Workshop 2: zoom (online), Gippsland PHN group session including practical activity. Register here.
Alternatively, you may complete both workshops at the same time by attending a national training. Dates and links to registration can be found here.
Please use contact email iar@gphn.org.au if you wish to express interest in face to face training.
Main office
11 Seymour Street, Traralgon, Gunaikurnai Country
13 McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi, Bunurong Country
119 Main Street, Bairnsdale, Gunaikurnai Country
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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