GP carer awareness training
Carer awareness training for general practitioners
Around one in ten patients is a carer. Carers provide a vital role in helping those they care for independence, wellness and quality of life. However, carers themselves can experience a range of negative health, social and financial impacts as a result of their caring role.
The Victorian carer strategy 2018-2022, developed with input from 1,500 carers, found that while many carers spend time in healthcare settings, they rarely have their own health needs identified or addressed.
The new Carer Awareness Education offers guidance for GPs to identify and support patients who are carers, covering:
- recognition of the carer role
- identifying and supporting carer needs
- involving the carer in patient care.
Many carers consider general practice the place to point them in the direction of support and services. It is important that primary care providers are aware of the range of issues that carers may face, and that GPs are able to identify carers, involve them in patient care where appropriate, support them to maintain the caregiving situation and monitor their health and wellbeing.
Complete the training
The training consists of three online education modules, which are for RACGP and ACRRM professional development. To qualify for CPD points you must complete a survey after watching the modules. Click here to participate.
View the pathway
The Carer Stress pathway describes the assessment, management and referral of carers. Click here to access the pathway. Note that you must be registered and logged in to view. Request free access here.
This project is funded by Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), in partnership with Carers Victoria and delivered by Victorian and Tasmanian PHN Alliance (VTPHNA), led by North Western Melbourne PHN.