‘Takin it to the streets’: Innovation & Education in Aged Persons Mental
Introduction: A complexity of issues currently challenges Aged Person’s Mental Health Programs (APMHP) in Australia. Workforce shortages, staff skill mix and multifaceted reporting procedures are just a few of the pressures that these programs have to consider in everyday practice. The significant variations between residential, acute inpatient and community care in APMHP add yet another layer of complexity in an environment that is already priority driven; potentially with less than desirable consequences.
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is twofold; firstly to provide a broad overview of strategic approaches that may be utilised in APMHP, and secondly to present information from the development, delivery and evaluation of stage one of an education program focused initially at the management and shift leader level in APMHP.
Methods: An education program was developed as one component of a strategic approach to issues affecting APMHP in Victoria, Australia. Individuals’ in management and shift leader positions were deemed as a critical starting point for this education to specifically target organisational commitment, support and resourcing for change.
Results: The evaluation data from the workshops will be presented and discussed in relation to, if and how, the findings have addressed the broader issues in AMPHP. Discussion regarding future stages in this approach will also be highlighted.
Conclusions: Many limiting factors exist in the provision of APMH services. Innovative approaches, that embrace a future orientated lens, are required to address the complex, multifaceted nature of this clinical specialty.