The IMPRovE Partnership Trial

Implementing work-related Mental health guidelines in general PRacticE (IMPRovE)

Psychological injury in the workplace continues to increase worldwide, and recovery continues to remain a challenge - with significant social, economic and health system costs. In Australia, general practitioners (GPs) see 96% of ill workers and thus play a pivotal role in enhancing recovery and return to work outcomes for patients with work-related mental health conditions. However, current practice is hampered by clinical uncertainties and system complexities that GPs encounter in practice.

Evidence-based guidelines to address GPs concerns with the treatment of work-related mental health symptoms are available. In 2019, the “Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of work-related mental-health conditions in general practice” (the Guideline) was published to support Australian GPs in their practice by providing evidence-based recommendations addressing ten key clinical challenges associated with work-related mental-health conditions.

However, the creation of clinical guidelines does not guarantee their implementation in practice. Frequently used passive approaches such as mailing education materials are unlikely to result in behaviour change when used on their own. Instead, multifaceted interventions actively targeting potential barriers to change are more likely to be effective.

The National Health and Medical Research Council has awarded the Department of General Practice, Monash University, with a partnership project grant to implement the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of work-related mental health conditions in general practice.

You can find our published protocol here to read further about the trial.