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Implementing a collaborative mental health care model: the MHPN

Chris Gibbs (Mental Health Professionals Network, Melbourne, Australia)
Barbara Murphy (Department of Psychology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia) (Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia) (School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia)
Deepika Ratnaike (DSR Consulting Group, Sydney, Australia)
Kate Hoppe (Mental Health Professionals Network, Melbourne, Australia)
Harry Lovelock (Australian Psychological Society, Melbourne, Australia) (Mental Health Professionals Network, Melbourne, Australia)

Journal of Integrated Care

ISSN: 1476-9018

Article publication date: 16 October 2017

470

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and experience of the Mental Health Professionals’ Network (MHPN) in building and supporting a national interdisciplinary professional development platform in community mental health to enhance practitioner response to the needs of consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

The key components of the MHPN model are described highlighting effective ways of engaging practitioners and supporting interdisciplinary practice. The MHPN has two key programs – Face-to-Face Interdisciplinary Practitioner Networks and an Online Professional Development Program.

Findings

The MHPN model has had significant uptake in communities across Australia and continues to grow. Practitioners report positive outcomes in engaging with other practitioners, improving their professional knowledge and having gained increased confidence in the provision of mental health care to patients.

Practical implications

The progress and learnings to date offer some useful insights that can be applied to other settings to support integrated care for patients with mental health problems through enhancing collaborative care among practitioners at the primary care level.

Originality/value

MHPN is a unique, national, successful platform delivering opportunities for interdisciplinary professional development in the primary mental health sector. The model is cost effective, practitioner driven, and transferable to other settings.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The MHPN initiative is funded by the Australian Commonwealth Department of Health. The authors gratefully acknowledge the ongoing support of the MHPN Chair John McGrath AM, the MHPN Board, the member (APS, RACGP, RANZCP and ACMHN) and partner (AASW, OTA and ACRRM) organizations, and current and past MHPN staff members.

Citation

Gibbs, C., Murphy, B., Ratnaike, D., Hoppe, K. and Lovelock, H. (2017), "Implementing a collaborative mental health care model: the MHPN", Journal of Integrated Care, Vol. 25 No. 4, pp. 237-246. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICA-06-2017-0014

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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