Patients as partners in treating mental health conditions
Using the Adult Mental Health learning module offered by the Practice Support Program (a partnership of Doctors of BC and the government of BC) family doctors are receiving training to better treat British Columbians with mental health conditions, helping patients return to or stay at work, and reducing reliance on medications. The module includes screening and assessment tools and three supported self-management approaches: the Bounce Back program, the Antidepressant Skills Workbook, and the Cognitive Behavioural Interpersonal Skills (CBIS) Manual. CBIS provides an organized, guideline-based system for physicians to assess patients and to develop treatment strategies that incorporate self-management processes to empower patients to be active partners in their mental health treatment. Doctors surveyed after taking part in the training said that learning the cognitive behavioral intervention skills made them 40% less likely to prescribe antidepressants. Survey findings also show that doctors consider more than 78% of their patients to be better or much better able to return to work 3 to 6 months following cognitive behavioral interventions. Nearly 90% of patients who continue to work while dealing with mental health conditions are found by their doctors to be better or much better able to continue working 3 to 6 months following cognitive behavioral interventions. For more information about the learning module, visit www.gpscbc.ca/psp-learning/module-overview/adult-mental-health.