Education Videos & Podcasts List
Deprescribing Psychotropics
The overuse of antidepressants and psychiatric medications is a growing concern for healthcare and regulatory bodies, including the NDIS Commission and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Both the Disability and Aged Care Royal Commissions have called for efforts to reduce this overuse.
Stopping these medications safely has been neglected in psychiatric teaching, leading to significant harm from severe and prolonged withdrawal effects. The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines aim to address this gap.
Withdrawal effects are more common and severe than previously recognized, with some people experiencing debilitating protracted withdrawal syndromes. These effects can be mistaken for a relapse or new condition, highlighting the need for better recognition and distinction.
Advances in the science of stopping antidepressants have led to updated UK guidelines on gradual, hyperbolic tapering.
Target Audience: GPs, Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, Pharmacists, any prescribers or clinicians that have regular contact with people using psychotropic medications
Learning outcomes:
- Identify when, why and in whom to stop antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs
- Describe the risks of stopping these medications too quickly
- Distinguish between withdrawal effects from these drugs and relapse of an underlying condition
- Apply the latest principles in safe tapering to stopping these drugs classes, adjusted to the individual patient
Speakers:
Dr. Mark Horowitz MBBS PhD is a Clinical Research Fellow in Psychiatry with the NHS in England and a Visiting Lecturer in Psychopharmacology at King’s College London. He holds a PhD in the neurobiology of depression and antidepressant action.
Dr. Horowitz is the lead author of the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines and co-authored the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ guidance on ‘Stopping Antidepressants’. His work has informed NICE guidelines on safe tapering of psychiatric medications. He has published papers in top journals and is an Associate Editor of Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. His personal experience with psychiatric medication withdrawal has greatly influenced his work.
Resources:
Dr Mark Horowitz Presentation - Deprescribing Psychotropics
RACGP Link to guidelines: Maudlsey Deprescribing Guidelines
A Comprehensive Approach to Managing Dementia and Frailty in Older Adults
This recording considers a wholistic team approach to managing dementia in the community and supporting prevention of deteriorating health including frailty incidence.
How do we use preventative strategies such as physical activity to slow the progression of both diseases? At what stage does dementia impact the management of frailty?
Topics Covered:
- National Dementia Action Plan 2024-2034
- Managing patients with dementia and frailty
- Implementing Home Medication Reviews
- Lifestyle modifications and their impact on people with dementia and frailty
TARGET AUDIENCE:
GP’s, Practice Managers, Practice Nurses, Pharmacists and Allied Health Professionals working in General Practice in the Northern Sydney Region
Learning outcomes:
- Analyse the impact of physical activity and lifestyle modifications at various stages of dementia, and develop comprehensive, patient-centered support plans that leverage a multidisciplinary team approach
- Evaluate and innovate clinical practices for managing this cohort
- Develop strategies for Home Medication Reviews and deprescribing
Speakers:
- Prof Maria Fiatarone Singh, Geriatrician – Maria is a geriatrician specialising in the integration of medicine, exercise physiology, and nutrition to enhance health and quality of life. She has held the John Sutton Chair of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Sydney since 1999. She has led numerous clinical trials and studies in Australia and the USA, focusing on exercise and chronic disease prevention and treatment.
- Georgette Yassa, Pharmacist
- Trina Colita, Dementia/Aged Care CNC, Northern Sydney Home Nursing Service
- Hema Patel, Primary Care Advancement Coordinator, SNHN
- Debra Clark, Aged Care Lead, SNHN
Aging Successfully – HEALTHY, ACTIVE AND CONNECTED EXPO 2023
Speakers:
Prof Sue Kurrle | Geriatrician
2022 Primary Health Care Symposium: Primary Healthcare – Better Together!
Through an expert panel discussion facilitated by Dr Norman Swan, viewers will explore where primary care is currently, where we are heading and the importance of an integrated, multidisciplinary system.
A series of video vignettes shares examples of how Sydney North Health Network is working together in Integration, Primary Care and Community
Learning outcomes:
- Recognise the importance of an integrated system for enhanced primary care
- Explore what the future of primary health care could look like
- Recognise the role of innovation, multidisciplinary care, and prevention within primary care
Speakers:
- Facilitator: Dr Norman Swan – Health Journalist, Broadcaster and Commentator
- Ros Knight – Clinical Psychologist
- Dr Luke Morphett – General Practitioner
- Matthew Burton – Pharmacist
- Kerry McBride – Practice Nurse
Polypharmacy and the impact on older people
This webinar addresses Polypharmacy and the impact on older people.
Through discussion and case studies, participants will gain understanding of practical tools/steps that GPs/nurses can take in identifying when patients require a medication review and practical steps in making that happen
Also reflect on the impact that social isolation has on older people.
* G-Meds tool (about)
* What triggers medication review? Hospital Discharge / health incident
Learning outcomes:
- Recognise and respond to the impacts of polypharmacy on frailty/older people
- Develop a comprehensive management plan around deprescribing and medication management/reviews
- Assess and manage Polypharmacy/medication reviews with dementia patients to ensure continunity of patient care
Speakers:
Prof Sarah Hilmer | Geriatrician
Sarah is a Clinical Pharmacologist and Geriatrician at Royal North Shore Hospital. She is also a Conjoint Professor of Geriatric Pharmacology, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney.
Honorary Prof Dimity Pond | General Practitioner
Dimity is passionately interested in Aged Care and Dementia. She provides comprehensive general medical care to babies, children, young adults and the elderly. She is a specialised general practitioner and is an Honorary Professor at Western Sydney, University of Tasmania and University of New England.
The Nuts and Bolts of Social Prescribing
This webinar discusses the whole of patient health benefits of social prescribing. Speakers delve into the strategies and resources available to implement social prescribing into your patient care, including a live case presentation.
Learning outcomes:
- Explore how social prescribing fits into the broader health system and the potential uses of social prescribing
- Develop an understanding of how a number of local social prescribing programs can be integrated into practice, such as, PCCS Head To Health Hub
- Develop strategies to identify patients who might benefit and enhance patient outcomes using non-medical supports
- Utilise available resources to support and enhance the management of social determinants of health using social prescribing approaches
Speakers:
A/Prof JR Baker PhD | CEO Primary and Community Care Services
Adjunct Associate Professor JR Baker is the CEO of PCCS and has over 20 years’ experience in executive health management, education, and research. He has consistently introduced industry leading service improvements that always keep the client at the centre of change, pushing PCCS to become an Australian leader in social prescribing, complex care coordination and link work services, including almost 10 years of experience delivering social prescribing services across NSW and Queensland. JR is driven by his ideas on providing optimal health services through innovation in the not-for-profit, health space. JR is committed to innovation, scoping out optimal health models and working with the community, government, politicians, and industry to collaborate and develop the best outcomes for people and communities.
Dr James Ibrahim - General Practitioner and Social Prescribing Specific Interest Group Chair
Dr James Ibrahim practices as a GP at Terry Hills Medical Centre and the inaugural Chair for the RACGP Specific Interest group for Social Prescribing.
The group that he chairs aims to support GPs by:
- Influencing general practice education and providing educational support about social prescribing
- Sharing and learning about local and international initiatives
- Promoting successful general practice models to decision makers
- Working as a reference group both within, and on behalf of, the RACGP in matters relating to social prescribing
- Assisting GPs with how to implement and seek funding for social prescribing initiatives they may wish to run in their practices.