Diagnosing and managing work‐related mental health conditions in general practice: new Australian clinical practice guidelines

• Published in: Medical journal of Australia Vol. 211; no. 2; pp. 76 - 81
• Main Authors: Mazza, Danielle, Chakraborty, Samantha P, Brijnath, Bianca, Nowak, Heather, Howell, Cate, Brott, Trevor, Atchison, Michelle, Gras, David, Kenardy, Justin, Buchanan, Richard, Tawia, Seyram
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia John Wiley and Sons Inc 01-07-2019
• Subjects: Anxiety disorders; Australia; Depressive disorders; General Medicine; General practice; General Practice - standards; Guideline Summary; Guidelines as topic; Humans; Mental Disorders; Mental Disorders - diagnosis; Mental Disorders - therapy; Mental Health; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Diseases - diagnosis; Occupational Diseases - therapy; Post‐traumatic stress disorder; Research and Reviews; Workers’ compensation; Workplace; Australia; Guidelines as topic; General practice; Anxiety disorders; Depressive disorders; Workers’ compensation; Post-traumatic stress disorder
• ISSN: 0025-729X; 1326-5377
• DOI: 10.5694/mja2.50240

Introduction
In Australia, mental health conditions (MHCs) arising from workplace factors are a leading cause of long term work incapacity and absenteeism. While most patients are treated in general practice, general practitioners report several challenges associated with diagnosing and managing workplace MHCs.
This guideline, approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council and endorsed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, is the first internationally to address the clinical complexities associated with diagnosing and managing work‐related MHCs in general practice.
Main recommendations
Our 11 evidence‐based recommendations and 19 consensus‐based statements aim to assist GPs with:
the assessment of symptoms and diagnosis of a work‐related MHC;
the early identification of an MHC that develops as a comorbid or secondary condition after an initial workplace injury;
determining if an MHC has arisen as a result of work factors;
managing a work‐related MHC to improve personal recovery or return to work;
determining if a patient can work in some capacity;
communicating with the patient's workplace; and
managing a work‐related MHC that is not improving as anticipated.
Changes in management as result of the guideline
This guideline will enhance care and improve health outcomes by encouraging:
the use of appropriate tools to assist the diagnosis and determine the severity of MHCs;
consideration of factors that can lead to the development of an MHC after a workplace injury;
more comprehensive clinical assessments;
the use of existing high quality guidelines to inform the clinical management of MHCs;
consideration of a patient's capacity to work;
appropriate communication with the workplace; and
collaboration with other health professionals.