Psychotic disorders affect 4% of Australians. Those taking antipsychotic medicines to treat their condition not only bear the burden of disease, but also a significant burden of side effects from the medicines they take.
Balancing the benefits and harms of these medicines for each individual represents a constant challenge for GPs. The safety and tolerability profile for each person differs. An individual assessment is key in determining if benefits are being achieved in line with anticipated treatment goals, and that any side effects are not outweighing benefits or affecting adherence where this is so important in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
However, for people experiencing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, ensuring clinical effectiveness involves a different set of considerations and as the dementia progresses the ongoing need/benefit should be regularly reviewed.
Support and resources are available from the NPS facilitator with this new visiting program. Contact CHGPN now by emailing shirley.proctor@chgpn.com.au to arrange a one hour lunchtime (or breakfast) group discussion or 20 minute individual discussion in-clinic visit. The session includes RACGP and ACRRM CPD points as well as counting towards the practice QPI PIP. Please note -The clinical audits that have been the burdensome part of obtaining the QPI payment have been streamlined and now only require data on 10 patients.