Clinical guideline for mental health management

New worker mental health management guidelines are currently being canvassed, with community input accepted until mid-March, according to WorkCover Queensland.

The incidence of work-related mental injuries has increased in Australia over the past decade, posing a major concern because of negative health impacts and the resulting lengthy periods off work.

Ninety-six per cent of injured workers present to their doctor for a work-related claim and GPs have expressed concerns about the administrative and clinical aspects of managing work-related injuries, said WorkCover Queensland in a statement. Some of these concerns include difficulties with assessing and diagnosing work-related mental health conditions and managing patients for a return to work.

"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 help 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 open for public consultation until Thursday, 15 March. To review the draft guideline and make a submission, visit https://www.monash.edu/medicine/spahc/general-practice/research/public-consultation.

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