Focus on: PTSD

Primary Health Care professionals increase your awareness of how PTSD presents in different patients, along with diagnosis and treatment in primary care. This is educational activity is delivered by two expert panelists Psychiatrist Dr Sanjeev Ranjan who looks after people with PTSD, mood disorders, psychosis, anxiety disorders, OCD and neuropsychiatric disorders and Psychiatrist Dr Dwain Burridge who has a special interest in working with patients aged 13-35 with PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, women’s perinatal psychiatry and ADHD.

This educational activity aims to equip Primary Health Care professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage patients experiencing complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and co-occurring alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. Given the concerning statistic that over 12% of Australians will experience PTSD at some point in their lives, with a significant portion also struggling with AOD misuse [1], GPs are often the first point of contact for these patients. The activity covers identifying trauma symptoms and the principles of trauma-informed care, crucial for creating a safe and supportive environment. It then outlines best practices for treating complex cases where PTSD and AOD use occur simultaneously. Finally, the activity emphasizes the importance of collaboration, equipping GPs with strategies for building effective multidisciplinary teams to deliver comprehensive care for patients with complex PTSD.

[1] National Centre for PTSD. (2021, June). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Veterans Affairs Department (https://www.ptsd.va.gov/).

Learning outcomes

1. Identify trauma symptoms and describe principles of trauma-informed care
2. Outline a best practice treatment approach for concomitant complex trauma and alcohol and other drug use
3. Describe effective multidisciplinary approaches to supporting patients experiencing complex PTSD

Provider Details
The Provider of this activity is Healthscope. Healthscope is an authorised Provider of education under the RACGP CPD Program.

Post your questions into the 'Comments' field below and the presenters will do their best to answer these during the meeting. For any questions regarding this activity, please contact Healthscope at gp.education@healthscope.com.au.