The IAR Guidance (IAR) and Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) is designed to establish a national, standardised approach to conducting initial mental health assessments, and support general practitioners and other clinicians to recommend the most appropriate level of care for a person seeking mental health support.
The IAR and the IAR-DST are an Australian Government Department of Health, Disability & Ageing initiative bringing together information from various sources, including Australian and international evidence and advice from various leading experts. The IAR-DST is not an assessment tool.
Learning outcomes
- Discuss the principles underpinning the national approach to stepped care.
- Summarise the IAR development process.
- Explain the use of IAR Guidance in practice settings to generate a recommended level of care.
- List the levels of care in relation to available regional services
- Identify the principles related to clinical decision making and consumer choice.
WNSW PHN is offering online training to help GPs and clinicians effectively implement the IAR-DST in your practice. This training will provide you with all the information you need to use the tool in a way that suits your practice.