A MAP for treatment planning in depression - revolutionising the way rural and remote doctors diagnose and manage mood disorders

Dr Jan Orman, Black Dog Institute, Australia*

Objective: To introduce a new and effective assessment tool for depressive illness.

The Black Dog Institute recognises the strain on rural communities imposed by life in those areas, including isolation and restricted access to specialist health services. These pressures are felt acutely by rural doctors, particularly in the management of depressive illness and in suicide prevention. While significant progress has been made in recent years, the Institute recognises the continuing need to enhance the competence and confidence of health professionals to effectively manage mood disorders in primary care.

After four years of development and clinical use in its tertiary referral centre, the Black Dog Institute has this year launched its online Mood Assessment Program (MAP). Online availability now makes the MAP accessible to any GP or psychologist in Australia who registers to use it.

The MAP is a world-first diagnostic tool. It was designed to support clinical decision making in the sub-typing of depressive illness, the identification of personality vulnerability and the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Used in conjunction with clinical assessment, the MAP gives clinicians a much clearer understanding of their patient’s depressive illness and provides an excellent platform for the development of rational treatment plans.

The MAP is available free of charge and comprehensive reports are sent promptly and directly to the referring clinician.

Conclusion: Used in conjunction with a working knowledge of the Black Dog Institute sub-typing model of depression, the MAP will be a very useful adjunct to primary care management of depression across Australia, with particular value to rural GPs.

Click the forward and back buttons (bottom right hand corner) on the powerpoint slide below to manually move through the slides.