The Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) for mental health care assists general practitioners and clinicians in recommending a level of care for a person seeking mental health support.

The IAR-DST brings together existing assessment results rather than replace or require additional clinical assessment scales and processes. The IAR-DST provides a framework for GPs and clinicians to consider consumers presentation and may also act as a prompt about the information to gather.

The IAR- DST aims to provide a common approach and language for communicating the intensity of the treatment response (level of care) across service providers.

IAR-DST for mental health care training is available to GPs, general practice staff, clinicians, and other mental health service providers. EMPHN will commence IAR-DST training in early 2023. To register for upcoming training, click the button below.

A once off $300 payment (excl. GST) is available for eligible GPs who complete the two-hour training. We are working towards the IAR-DST training being a RACGP CPD Approved Activity for the triennium 2023-2026.

We are also available to conduct training at your clinic (minimum numbers may apply). If you are interested, contact us at IAR.info@emphn.org.au

Our training dates are as follows:

Why use the IAR-DST?

The IAR- DST aims to provide a common approach and language for communicating the intensity of the treatment response (level of care) across service providers.

PHNs nationally are supporting the adoption of the IAR-DST. EMPHN funded mental health services, starting with Head to Health and Mental Health Stepped Care, will progressively begin using the tool, where appropriate. As stated in the bilateral agreement between the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments, State funded services, such as the Adult Locals, are to adopt the IAR tool and adaptions when available.

Sector wide utilisation, including by General Practitioners and other clinicians, will help to reduce silos and support service providers to communicate their consumer needs in a common language.

The tool aims to reduce the risks of under or over-servicing and provides a standardised, consistent common language to guide clinical judgement and consumer choice.

In the long term, the IAR-DST might address some of the pressures impacting service availability. For example, improved utilisation and optimisation of self-management and low-intensity interventions may alleviate pressure on moderate-intensity interventions. Careful assignment of the resources means those who require specific supports are more likely to have be able to access them.

At a minimum, adopting a consistent approach across services assists identification of service gaps and advocacy of future funding needs.

Register for IAR-DST training

If you would like to register for an upcoming session as listed below, please complete our registration form.

The training consists of a two-hour workshop delivered either face-to-face or online.

The training will focus on:

• Introduction to the Intake and Referral and Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) for mental health care.
• Orientation to the domains, levels of care, and decision support tool.
• Clinical judgement and supported decision-making.
• Application of the tool in assessment and intake settings (practical activity using a scenario).

Further information

For further information please contact iar.info@emphn.org.au.

Key resources

• IAR-DST National Guidance Primary Health Networks (PHN)
• IAR-DST Training flyer
• Levels of Care and Service examples in EMPHN (PDF)
  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can attend training?

Providers whose principal place of practice is within the EMPHN catchment can attend EMPHN hosted training. Please check your PHN location.

EMPHN welcomes anyone who meets this criteria to attend training, noting that the IAR-DST should be undertaken by suitably qualified and experienced clinicians. In well supervised environments it may be appropriate to engage non-clinical staff in components of the intake assessment. Please refer to page 20 of the National Guidance for further details.

Please contact your local PHN if your principal place of practice falls within the boundaries of another PHN.

2. Who is eligible to receive the once off $300 (excl. GST) payment?

GPs/GP registrars whose principal place of practice is within the EMPHN catchment must attend the full two-hour training to receive the payment.

GPs will not be paid for attending this training if attending on behalf of an organisation as a salaried position funded by the Commonwealth, or if they have previously been paid for attending this training.

Other medical staff and clinicians are not eligible to receive payment for attending training.

3. When will RACGP CPD hours be confirmed?

We are working towards the IAR-DST training being a RACGP CPD Approved Activity for the triennium 2023-2026.

A certificate of attendance will be provided to all attendees.

4. Will I receive a certificate if I attend training?

A certificate of completion will be sent to all participants who complete the 2-hour training. Attendance will be recorded when you join the online or face-to-face training.

5. Will the IAR-DST be integrated into medical software?

The Department of Health and Aged Care (the Department) has advised that the integration of IAR-DST into GP clinical software is planned for mid 2023.

6. Will a new Medicare benefits schedule item be introduced for the IAR-DST?

There are no immediate plans to introduce new MBS items for the IAR-DST. However, nothing prevents a GP from administering the IAR-DST using existing MBS items – provided they meet the requirements of the MBS item descriptor and satisfy all other legislative requirements.

7. Will the IAR-DST be integrated with the mental health treatment plan?

The priority is making the IAR-DST accessible and available to GPs in a way that enables them to use it easily as part of their workflows. Future enhancements to the IAR-DST and MHTPs will be considered in the broader context, factoring in stakeholder feedback and findings from the current Better Access evaluation, IAR-DST evaluations, and further insights obtained as more GPs undertake the training and utilise the tool.

8. What is the target group that the IAR-DST is appropriate to be used with?

The IAR-DST has been developed for the general adult population (18-65 years of age). The Department of Health has considered factors impacting on specific cohorts and has embarked on a development process for adaptations applicable to:

• Children (5-11)
• Adolescents (12-17)
• Older adults (65+)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
• Culturally and linguistically diverse people
• Veterans
• People with co-occurring conditions (including intellectual disability)

EMPHN will notify training participants of IAR-DST updates such as the release of adaptations and training opportunities as they are rolled out.