Target Audience/Eligibility Criteria
There are a range of modules suitable for GPs, PNs and NPs which can run within your practice setting. This is for Stockport General Practices only.
Overview
Psychological Medicine in Primary Care (PMPC) is a 24 month pilot with two strands. Firstly it provides support and intervention to people who have persistent physical symptoms (PPS) of any origin, including Long term Conditions (LTC) and Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS), within a select number of GP surgeries via supervision of health care staff and direct clinical contact. The second strand of this service will help improve knowledge, skills and capacity in existing health services by providing supervision, education and training to staff working with this group in their own surgery in a way which feels most appropriate to them. For example, you may wish to have a case discussion session or, alternatively, spend an hour on a specific topic such as managing MUS in primary care, fibromyalgia or trauma. These sessions have been well reviewed by GPs, with 89% of attendees stating that they would change their practice as a direct result of the session, and comments such as: ‘Training was excellent. All content was relevant and helpful in informing approaches in working with patients in this crucial area’.
Available Practice Based Training/Open Sessions
Modules can be run as stand- alone sessions, usually lasting one hour. They can be combined and adapted to half a day or a day, depending on need. This list is not exhaustive, but represents the main requests from the first 8 months of work.
- Mental health and Long Term Conditions (LTC)
Rates of common mental health problems are significantly increased in those who live with LTC. This session focuses on identification and management of these problems in primary care, with suggestions of how to engage reluctant patients.
- Structured Follow Up
This session can be based around any one or two of the techniques on the website e.g. problem solving or using the 5 areas model. Ideally paired with some follow up, in person/ phone/ email with facilitator to continue support and implementation of technique learned. Aimed at GP and Practice Nurses.
- Trauma and health
Trauma has many meanings, and can be implicated directly or indirectly in how people perceive their health. This module reviews the evidence of impact of different kinds of trauma and various health conditions. Time is spent reflecting on how this may affect the relationship with the symptoms and the health care professional.
- Personality Difficulties and Health Care
The diagnosis of ‘personality disorder’ is a complex and somewhat uncertain one. However, the impact of attachment styles and interpersonal difficulties in primary care is clear. This session aims to inform and help groups think about how they may best work with people with complex needs.
- Psychological Aspects of Pain
Chronic pain poses difficulties for both patients and professionals. Concerns about opiate prescriptions only amplify the problems. There is clear evidence for a biopsychosocial approach, which is the focus of this module which aims to support practitioners to better understand and work with their patients day to day.
Trainer/Facilitator
Dr Julia Hose, Liaison Psychiatrist Psychological Medicine in Primary Care and Dr Sophia Kariotaki, Counselling Psychologist with a special interest in health psychology
Date/Time/Venue
These sessions and other bespoke training in this area can be provided in your practice setting if you have a minimum of 4 clinicians available to attend. Please see ‘Additional Information’ for details.
Cost
This session is free of charge for all delegates from Stockport General Practice.
Booking Process/Additional Information
- If you are interested in finding out more about the training and support available to you or your practice or to book one/some of the sessions, please get in touch with Dr Julia Hose, Liaison Psychiatrist at j.hose@nhs.net