GPs to receive clinical guideline for workplace mental injuries

Work-related mental injuries have been on the rise in Australia over the last 10 years.

As a consequence, a new clinical guideline has been released to assist with the diagnosis and management of mental health conditions in the workplace.

Research shows that 96% of injured workers present to a general practitioner (GP) for their work-related claim. GPs have expressed concerns about the administrative and clinical aspects of managing work-related injuries, including difficulties with assessing and diagnosing work-related mental health conditions and managing patients to facilitate return to work.

Work-related mental injuries are associated with longer periods away from work compared with musculoskeletal injuries.

The 'Development of clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of work-related mental health conditions for GPs' project is a response to the call to action from GPs who have acknowledged they need guidance in this area. The guideline will address 10 key clinical questions raised by GPs concerned with the diagnosis and management of work-related mental health conditions.

This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment (and is supported by Comcare), the Office of Industrial Relations, State Insurance Regulatory Authority, Return to Work SA and WorkCover WA. The guideline will be developed according to the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Standards for Guideline Development. Endorsement will also be sought from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) prior to publication.

The guideline is now open for public consultation. Public consultation will close on Thursday, 15 March 2018.

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