Decision support tool for mental health care (IAR-DST)
The Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) is a clinical tool that assists health professionals to recommend an appropriate level of care for those seeking mental health support.
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What is the IAR-DST?
The IAR-DST provides a framework for GPs and other clinicians to conduct mental health assessments and referrals, based on existing assessment results. It doesn’t replace existing results, or require additional clinical assessment scales and processes.
Another goal of the IAR-DST is to provide a common approach and language for communicating the intensity of treatment response (level of care) across service providers. It may also act as a prompt about the information to gather.
Online training
IAR training is available online and coordinated by Central Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CESPHN) through the National IAR Support Project. Training is for GPs, general practice staff, clinicians and other mental health service providers.
Learning outcomes of online training sessions:
- Discuss the principles underpinning the national approach to stepped care.
- Summarise the IAR development process.
- Explain the use of the IAR Guidance in practice settings to generate a recommended level of care.
- List the levels of care in relation to available regional services
- Identify the principles related to clinical decision making and consumer choice
This is an RACGP and ACRRM approved event and a certificate of attendance will be issued to self-report your CPD hours as below.
GPs can register here for upcoming online training sessions on using the IAR Tool.
eLearning module
Alternatively, a self-paced eLearning module (view here) has been designed for health professionals who are suitably qualified and experienced in mental health assessment and/or treatment.
This flexible online format enables health professionals and intake interviewers/care navigators, including non-clinical staff, to complete training at a time and place that suits their operational needs.
View further details on the eLearning module via the video below.
Why use the IAR-DST?
A number of mental health services funded by EMPHN, and the Victorian and Australian Governments, will be adopting the IAR-DST, where appropriate. These services include Medicare Mental Health, Head to Health mental health hubs, Stepped Care, and Local Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Services.
PHNs throughout Australia are also supporting adoption of the IAR-DST. This sector-wide utilisation, including by GPs and other clinicians, will help to:
- Reduce silos in mental health care
- Decrease the risk of under or over-servicing
- Support service providers to communicate the needs of people with mental health issues in a common language
In the long-term, the IAR-DST might address some of the pressures impacting service availability. For example, improved utilisation and optimisation of self-management and low-intensity interventions may alleviate pressure on moderate-intensity interventions.
Careful assignment of resources means that those who require specific supports are more likely to be able to access them.
At a minimum, adopting a consistent approach across services assists identification of service gaps and advocacy of future funding needs.
Using HealthPathways with IAR-DST
HealthPathways Melbourne has incorporated the Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) into GP workflow, to support clinical decision-making and service navigation. This update ensures the IAR-DST is easily accessible, embedded within the pathways, and tailored to support GPs at the point of care.
HealthPathways have created a new resource pathway: Mental Health Stepped Care – Navigation and the IAR-DST information has also been added to 13 existing Mental Health Referral pathways.
To see an example of how a GP might use HealthPathways to locate IAR information, apply the tool, and make a referral, view the case study in the resources section below.