Mental health study welcome but more needs to be done
The AMA welcomes the release of the RACGP's National Mental Health Benchmark Report.
AMA Federal President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said that while public opinion was important, more focus must be placed on clinical outcomes in the formulation of mental health policy.
"This study makes an extremely useful contribution to discussions on national mental health strategy," Dr Phelps said. "However, the AMA is concerned that the RACGP is interpreting the data beyond its scientific limits.
"The AMA supports the need for reforms to the way that GPs and other health professionals are paid in relation to the treatment of patients with a mental illness, but we do not believe this study is proof that the Federal Government should be establishing a separate mental health item on the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
"The AMA believes national benchmark studies calling for a change in policy direction should be based on the clinical needs and outcomes of care for patients with a mental illness."
Dr Phelps said the AMA was concerned that there were fewer and fewer community-based services to which GPs could refer patients with a mental illness.
"GPs need greater support services - including community based counselling and targetted counselling services to assist people deal with issues such as substance abuse.
"We don't want a situation where GPs and other professionals such as teachers may be expected to deliver specialised mental health care in lieu of an adequate level of specialised support in the community.
"The specialised care delivered by psychiatrists should be a key area highlighted in future policy initiatives. GPs and psychiatrists have long worked closely together to deliver excellent outcomes in mental health. This relationship should be fostered by governments and the community for the improvement of patient care," Dr Phelps said.
Dr Phelps said the AMA welcomed the report's findings that the majority of the general public (59%) would first contact their GP if they thought they were suffering from depression and that 95% of the population perceived GPs as having the skills to accurately inform their patients about depression.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Sarah Bucknell (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076