Training for GPs
General Practitioners supporting patients affected by gambling can be more effective with the right training.
In your capacity as a General Practitioner, gambling harm minimisation is probably not your area of expertise. There’s no question, it can be challenging to talk to someone about how gambling impacts their life and the people close to them – especially when mental health may be a factor. The knowledge you gain from evidence-based training will help your conversations and interventions to have positive outcomes.
Public Health Approaches to Preventing Gambling Harm in NSW Course
Public Health Approaches to Preventing Gambling Harm in NSW Course is designed for practitioners to educate on the risks and harms associated with gambling, its importance as a public health issue and ways to manage the impact at an individual and community level.
This course aims to help:
- Identify the factors that influence gambling and develop strategies to support people experiencing the negative impacts of gambling.
- Increase awareness of how gambling harm can be prevented from a population perspective.
- Increase understanding of responsible gambling paradigms, and why they are no longer considered best practice in helping to prevent or reduce gambling harm.
This course must be completed within two weeks of enrolment or you may be prompted for payment to continue participating. You can find out more about the course here.
Gambling Harm Awareness Podcasts
Cost: Free
These podcasts provide insight into how to assist patients experiencing gambling harm.
Dr Hester Wilson and Dr Jenny James discussed why it is important for GPs to ask the question about gambling and provided some tips on how and when to ask the question. Ned, a person with lived experience also shared his experience with his GP in dealing with his gambling issue.
In this podcast, Dr Hester Wilson, GP and Dr Kate Fennessy, Senior Clinical Psychologist discuss a range of scenarios in providing support to patients who are experiencing gambling harm.
These podcasts are available on-demand. They were developed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and funded by the Responsible Gambling Fund.
Culturally safe gambling harm minimisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Cost: Free
Dr Tim Senior (GP), Nicola Coalter (Registered Psychologist) and Ashley Gordon (Executive Director of NSW Aboriginal Safe Gambling Services) discuss how GPs can provide culturally safe care when addressing gambling harm with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
Participants will gain practical skills to recognise risk factors, have culturally appropriate conversations and connect patients to trusted community services and supports.
This webinar was developed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and funded by the Responsible Gambling Fund. A recording is available on the RACGP website.
Addressing gambling risks in young people and supporting concerned parents in general practice
Cost: Free
Dr Hester Wilson (GP, Chief Addiction Specialist for NSW Health), Dr Wayne Warburton (Psychologist) and Jessica Hancock (Counsellor and Psychotherapist) discuss how to identify and respond to gambling harm in young people during routine general practice consultations.
Participants will learn practical screening questions, brief intervention strategies and referral options to support young patients and their families.
This webinar was developed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and funded by the Responsible Gambling Fund. A recording is available on the RACGP website.