Articles for Doctors
Welcome to our articles specifically intended for doctors interested in mental. This free resource will grow over time to include a range of mental health topics that we hope will be of interest and useful to doctors, wherever they might be.
Better Access Initiative Changes: November 1, 2025
The Australian Government is implementing significant changes to the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule from November 1, 2025. These reforms respond to a 2022 independent evaluation that identified major equity problems in the program, including widening gaps for people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and rural areas, along with record-high gap fees. The changes center on three key reforms: Mental Health Treatment Plans and referrals must now come from either a GP at the patient's MyMedicare registered practice or the patient's "usual medical practitioner"; twelve specific mental health MBS items are being deleted entirely and replaced with standard general attendance items that enable GPs to claim the tripled bulk billing incentive for vulnerable populations; and despite these structural changes, the number of subsidised sessions remains unchanged at 10 individual sessions and 10 group sessions per calendar year. While the government argues these changes will improve continuity of care and reduce administrative burden for GPs, professional bodies including the RACGP and Australian Psychological Society have raised concerns about potential access barriers for vulnerable populations, particularly young people, itinerant populations, and rural residents who may not have a consistent usual GP.
A Practical Framework for Managing Somatic Symptom Disorder in the 15-Minute Consult
This article presents a practical framework for medical practitioners to effectively manage Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) within the constraints of a typical 15-minute consultation. Recognising the challenges of shifting from investigation to management, it introduces the "4 E's" model as a time-efficient, structured approach. The framework guides clinicians first to Empathise by validating the patient's physical experience to build rapport, then to Educate by reframing the condition through a simple explanation of the mind-body connection. The third step, Empower, focuses on collaborative, function-based goal-setting, often aided by brief screening tools. Finally, Enact outlines the initiation of brief interventions, such as lifestyle advice or basic CBT principles, and establishes clear pathways for follow-up and referral. This model aims to improve patient outcomes, enhance the therapeutic alliance, and reduce practitioner frustration when faced with complex somatic presentations.
The Power of the Mind‑Gut Axis: Psychological Factors in Gastrointestinal Disorders
The mind‑gut axis, a dynamic network of neural, endocrine and immune pathways connecting the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract, underpins the bidirectional effects of psychological factors on digestive function. Irritable bowel syndrome affects 4–10% of the global population, with a marked female predominance; nearly 40% of patients report anxiety and 29% depression, and up to 25% of those with inflammatory bowel disease develop post‑traumatic stress disorder. Chronic stress activates the HPA axis, raising corticotropin‑releasing factor and cortisol, which increase gut permeability and dysregulate motility, while early life adversity can epigenetically reprogram glucocorticoid signalling and alter the microbiome, predisposing individuals to gut‑brain disorders. Because psychological distress exacerbates symptoms and disease activity, integrating brain–gut behavioural therapies, psychobiotics and personalised care into conventional management offers a promising path to improving outcomes and quality of life for patients with GI disorders.
Domestic and Family Violence: Ask, Document, Refer Safely
Domestic and family violence is alarmingly common yet often invisible within general practice: one in six Australian women and one in 16 men have experienced intimate partner violence, and abuse frequently begins or escalates during pregnancy. GPs are often the first professionals survivors turn to, so knowing when and how to ask about safety, document disclosures and provide a warm referral is essential. Our article outlines practical, trauma‑informed questions to use when red flags such as depression, anxiety, vague injuries or controlling partners emerge, and stresses the importance of accurate, neutral notes to protect both patient and doctor. It also provides clear thresholds for referring to clinical psychology—immediate danger or child risk, pregnancy, or escalating coercive control—and explains how services like Delta Psychology work alongside primary care to support recovery.
Panic Attack in Primary Care: Fast Management
Panic attacks can present with alarming physical symptoms that often mimic serious cardiac or respiratory conditions, making it crucial for GPs to quickly distinguish benign panic episodes from medical emergencies. This practical guide summarises the evidence-backed steps for triaging, stabilising and managing panic attacks in general practice, including the importance of ruling out red flags, educating patients about the body’s fight‑or‑flight response, and using slow diaphragmatic breathing and brief cognitive techniques to reduce distress. It highlights why CBT is the first‑line intervention, explains when to consider pharmacotherapy, and outlines clear referral pathways to clinical psychology, ensuring patients receive timely, appropriate care while avoiding unnecessary emergency presentations.
Effective Doctor-Patient Communication: Research-Backed Techniques to Improve Outcomes
Effective doctor‐patient communication is vital to quality care, directly enhancing patient outcomes, adherence, and satisfaction while reducing malpractice risks. This article provides a guide for practising clinicians and medical students, detailing research-backed techniques such as active listening, empathy, and shared decision-making, along with clear, jargon-free explanations and the use of non-verbal cues. It reviews structured communication frameworks—including the six core functions of a medical interview and the SPIKES protocol for delivering bad news—and offers practical strategies for handling difficult conversations and fostering ongoing patient engagement.
Motivational Interviewing in Medical Practice
This article explores Motivational Interviewing (MI) as an evidence-based, patient-centred approach that transforms traditional, prescriptive consultations into collaborative conversations. It outlines MI’s core techniques—such as open-ended questioning, reflective listening, and eliciting change talk—and demonstrates how these methods effectively address patient ambivalence to foster meaningful behavioural changes across conditions like diabetes, hypertension, smoking cessation, and obesity. The inclusion of detailed clinical examples and case studies highlights MI’s practical application in both general practice and specialist settings, underscoring its significant impact on treatment adherence, clinical outcomes, and the overall therapeutic alliance.
Cognitive Biases in Clinical Decision-Making: Reducing Diagnostic Errors
The article explores how cognitive biases—such as anchoring, availability, confirmation, overconfidence, and framing—undermine clinical decision-making by leading to premature closure and misinterpretation of data, ultimately resulting in diagnostic errors. It explains that while intuitive (System 1) thinking is efficient, it is prone to these biases, whereas analytical (System 2) thinking, though slower, is essential for accurate diagnosis. Drawing on extensive patient safety research, the article presents a comprehensive discussion of how these biases interact and offers practical debiasing strategies, including structured reflection, diagnostic checklists, seeking second opinions, and implementing cognitive timeouts. These methods are proposed as vital tools for general practitioners and specialists to enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve patient outcomes.
The Psychological Impact of Surgical Procedures: Pre- and Post-Operative Considerations
The surgical journey for any patient encompasses much more than the physical dimensions of prepping for, undergoing, and recovering from the procedure. Overlooked far too often, yet vitally important, is the psychological element embedded within this journey. Patients can experience a broad range of emotional responses at various stages of their surgical experience - from anxiety and stress in anticipation of the operation, to depression, fear, or even trauma in the aftermath.
The Impact of Lifestyle Factors on Mental Health: Diet, Exercise, and Sleep
The mental health landscape is vast and complex, encompassing a range of conditions from anxiety and depression to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In the pursuit of comprehensive treatment and management strategies, healthcare professionals increasingly recognise the significant role played by lifestyle factors. As we continue to unravel the intricate interplay of biological, psychological, and social influences on mental health, the significance of diet, exercise, and sleep have come to the fore.
Burnout Among Doctors: Prevalence and Prevention
Burnout among doctors is a topic of growing concern in today's high-pressure healthcare environment. As the guardians of public health, doctors often find themselves at the intersection of life-altering decisions, overwhelming workloads, and the emotional weight of patient care. Over time, these factors can lead to burnout - a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment. Yet, despite its alarming prevalence, the issue often remains hidden behind the curtains of the medical profession.
Psychosocial Factors and Cardiovascular Disease
Every heartbeat matters, powered by a complex interaction of physical, genetic, and environmental factors. However, the intricate web of influences doesn't stop there. Emerging evidence has brought to light the undeniable impact of psychosocial factors on cardiovascular health. Stress, depression, anxiety, and social isolation – these aren't just challenges of the mind; they significantly sway our heart health, contributing to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) like hypertension, coronary artery disease, and stroke.
Understanding the Psychological Impact of Chronic Diseases
In the vast and complex realm of healthcare, chronic diseases hold an indisputable prominence. They are conditions that persist over time, often leading to reduced quality of life and significant mortality rates. Examples range from diabetes to heart disease, cancer to chronic respiratory disorders, illnesses that millions worldwide must grapple with every day. While much of the medical discourse rightfully focuses on physical symptoms and treatments, there is a critical dimension often less emphasised: the psychological impact of chronic diseases.
Psycho-Oncology: The Importance of Mental Health in Cancer Treatment
The medical world has long recognised that the battle against cancer is waged not just in the body, but also in the mind. The field of Psycho-Oncology was born out of this realisation, aiming to bridge the gap between physical and mental health care in oncology. As an emerging discipline, Psycho-Oncology underscores the psychological, social, and behavioural aspects of the cancer journey, offering a holistic perspective on patient care.