Mental health skills for physician associates - eLearning (trial access)

Module 1

Psychiatric history

• Outline the purpose and structure of the psychiatric history
• Use communication techniques to engage patients in providing their psychiatric histories
• Accurately and effectively document a psychiatric history in the patient record

Module 2

Mental state examination

• Understanding the principles of the mental state examination (MSE) and the phenomenological approach
• Knowing the overall structure and components of the MSE
• Describing psychiatric phenomenology using appropriate language
• Documenting the mental state examination

Module 3

Risk assessment and management

• Define the sorts of risks faced by people with mental illness
• Understand the dynamic and static risk factors that inform risk assessments
• Recognise a patient’s protective factors
• Formulate risk using the “four P” model
• Create effective risk management and safety plans

Module 4

De-escalation and distress management

• Identify early warning signs of escalation of anxiety/distress or anger
• Use simple techniques to assist someone who is acutely distressed or anxious
• Verbally de-escalate a distressed or agitated person
• Apply strategies to prevent and reduce risk of aggression and violence

· Maintain your personal safety