Annual Mental Health GP Masterclass 2024

On Saturday 26 October 2024, Julia Strickland-Bellamy, Aurora Health CEO and Director and Board Director of iMH, welcomed close to 100 General Practitioners from South Brisbane to Northern NSW at the inaugural  Aurora Healthcare Mental Health GP Masterclass at the Sheraton Grand Mirage, Gold Coast The interactive event, featured 17 esteemed presenters leading four insightful and multidisciplinary case-focused sessions, including ‘Advances in Psychiatry’, ‘Trauma, Mood and Addictions’, ‘Older Person’s Mental Health’ and ‘Women’s Mental Health’.

The hybrid event provided GPs with 9.5 RACGP-approved educational hours, reinforcing Aurora's dedication to supporting GPs in mental health care.

In August, Aurora launched its national education roadshow with this event culminating as its largest attended event yet, with nearly 20% of Gold Coast GPs registering their interest. This series exemplifies Aurora's commitment to equipping primary care providers with essential mental health expertise.

Highlights of the Event

Expert-Led Sessions: The masterclass featured a series of expert-led sessions that covered a wide range of topics in mental health. Renowned specialists shared their knowledge on the latest advancements in mental health care, innovative treatment approaches, and practical strategies for managing mental health conditions in general practice.

Interactive Case-Studies: Participants had the opportunity to engage in interactive case-based discussions that provided hands-on experience and practical skills. These sessions were designed to enhance the GPs’ ability to diagnose, treat, and support patients with mental health issues effectively.

Multidisciplinary Panel Discussions and Collaborative learning: The multidisciplinary panel discussions were a highlight, featuring thought leaders in mental health who addressed pressing issues, complex cases and involved the audience in finding solutions. These discussions provided valuable insights and fostered a deeper understanding of the complexities of mental health care.

Attending Specialists

The event was hosted by three of Gold Coast and Brisbane sites. We were honoured to have specialists from our hospitals come and share their time and expertise:

Currumbin Clinic

• Dr Tim MacDonald, Medical Director and Psychiatrist
• Dr Paxie Olm, Psychiatrist
• Dr Lisa Shelley, General Physician (undergoing dual training in substance abuse)
• Dr Mary Emeleus, Psychiatrist

Robina Private Hospital

• Dr Belinda Clark, Psychiatrist
• Dr Prashanti Veeramachaneni, Psychiatrist
• Dr Charles Chou, Rehabilitation and Pain Specialist
• Dr Rashimi Bansal, Psychiatrist

Belmont Private Hospital

• Dr Scott Newman, Psychiatrist
• Dr Theo Theodoros, Psychiatrist
• Dr Syeda (Shazeen) Fatima, Psychiatrist
• Dr Lyndall White, Psychiatrist

Our Guest Speakers

We were also privileged to have guest speakers and panellists whose expertise and insights were pivotal in making the event a tremendous success. Their contributions led to engaging and informative discussions, enriching the experience for all attendees.

• A/Prof Alka Kothari, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
• Dr Avi, Radiologist (CRT Imaging) 
• Dr Kristy Bayliss, General Practitioner

Special Thanks

A special thank you to Dr Tim MacDonald for moderating the event. His expertise and efforts were instrumental in making the masterclass a success.

Thank you also to Julia Strickland-Bellamy, CEO and Director Aurora Healthcare who provided a special welcome as well as our hospital CEO’s who answered questions and provided insights into their hospitals, Mary Williams (Belmont Private Hospital), Benjamin Uprichard (Currumbin Clinic) and Heidi Smith (Robina Private Hospital).

Finaly, we share our sincere appreciation of our third-party sponsors including CRT Imaging and Servier.

Feedback

The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Many GPs and Aurora specialists expressed their appreciation for the high-quality content and the opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field. The interactive nature of the workshops and the engaging panel discussions were particularly well-received.

One participant noted, “The masterclass was incredibly informative and provided practical tools that I can apply in my practice. It was also great to connect with other professionals who share a passion for mental health.”

Looking Ahead

The sessions offered a taste that sparked an appetite for more in-depth education on the key themes. masterclasses. Our team are already planning next year’s education program based on feedback that has been collected during the road show and this masterclass. GPs can expect regular education opportunities around the country including local dinners and bi-annual masterclasses in most major capital cities.

We thank all the attendees that were able to attend and look forward to seeing you at the next event.

For more information, contact our National Business Development Manager, Alix Irby at alix.irby@aurorahealth.com.au