Psychosis and Schizophrenia

Almost half of Australians (45%) will experience a mental health illness in their lifetime¹. The General Practice: Health of the Nation 2018 report published by the RACGP identifies that psychological issues are the most common health issue managed by GPs in 2018².

Psychotic conditions may have a lower prevalence, but the consequences are very. Psychotic illnesses are characterised by fundamental distortions of thinking, perception and emotional response and include Schizophrenia. In 2010 a National Survey of people living with psychotic illness was conducted. The report concluded that there were approximately 64,000 people in Australia aged 18–64 living with a psychotic illness and were in contact with public specialised mental health services each year. This equates to 5 cases per 1,000 population. The survey found the most frequently recorded of these disorders was Schizophrenia which accounted for almost half of all diagnoses (47.0%)³.

In this recorded webinar

Associate Professor Martin Cohen and Dr Ullrich Schall, discuss these conditions, specifically:

• diagnosis and management of a Psychotic Illness
• symptomatology associated with Schizophrenia and how it commonly presents at various stages of the condition
• various medications and their effects
• assessment tools and other resources in assessing cognitive functioning

The aim of the activity is to upskill GPs in managing mental health consumers in primary care, and to effectively refer to other mental health professionals.

The recording is one hour long and includes a post-activity quiz.

CPD points

This activity has been accreditation with the RACGP for 2 CPD points (previously known as Category 2 points). A certificate is available for download on completion of all activities in the course.  It has also been accredited with ACRRM for 1 PDP Educational Activity.

Brought to you by ProCare

The discussion is presented by ProCare Mental Health Services, a not for profit organisation based in Waratah NSW. ProCare’s clinicians work with GPs to provide counselling, psychology, and psychiatry consultations. Additionally, they provide the free “GP Psychiatry Support Line” service (1800 16 17 18) which is an initiative funded by 6 Primary Health Networks in NSW.

1 Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2009). National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results, 4326.0, 2007. ABS: Canberra.

2 The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. General Practice: Health of the Nation 2018. East Melbourne, Vic: RACGP, 2018.