Change in clinical practice in Australia: impact of participation in MHPN webinars
ISSN: 1476-9018
Article publication date: 29 December 2017
Issue publication date: 10 April 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The Mental Health Professionals’ Network (MHPN) was established to enhance collaborative care among health professionals working in mental health care in Australia. The MHPN has two primary arms: face-to-face network meetings and online webinars. The purpose of this paper is to investigate practice changes in health professionals who participated in one of MHPN’s live webinars.
Design/methodology/approach
Practice change was assessed by online survey with attendees from three MHPN webinars held in 2016. The survey link was e-mailed to webinar attendees three months after each webinar.
Findings
In total, 585 health professionals participated in the surveys. Four out of five respondents had made at least one practice change, particularly increased confidence in providing mental health care and increased discussions about other disciplines. General practitioners and psychologists were more likely than others to have made practice changes. Nine out of ten respondents rated the webinars as “very good” or “excellent.”
Research limitations/implications
MHPN’s webinar program positively impacts health professionals’ practice and represents an easily accessible and effective professional development opportunity for Australia’s mental health workforce.
Originality/value
The MHPN webinar program is unique in Australia. The MHPN provides opportunities for interdisciplinary professional development in the primary mental health sector. The model is highly cost effective and transferable to other settings and countries.
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 Mr John McGrath AM, the MHPN Board, the member (APS, RACGP, RANZCP and ACMHN) and partner (AASW, OTA and ACRRM) organisations, and current and past MHPN staff members. The authors would also like to acknowledge the MHPN Evaluation Committee members. The appreciation of authors is also for the many health professionals who provided valuable feedback by completing the survey.
Citation
Murphy, B., Hoppe, K., Gibbs, C., Ratnaike, D. and Lovelock, H. (2018), "Change in clinical practice in Australia: impact of participation in MHPN webinars", Journal of Integrated Care, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp. 101-108. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICA-10-2017-0034
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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