Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Jun 24, 2025
Date Accepted: Dec 30, 2025
Improving GP Capacity for Mental Health Care in Australian Primary Care: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Formative Study to Develop the Link-me+EMPHN Mental Health Model of Care
ABSTRACT
Background:
The rising prevalence of mental health conditions continues to place significant pressure on general practitioners (GPs), who are often the first point of contact for patients seeking care. Despite their critical role in managing mental health conditions, GPs and practice staff face substantial barriers in providing effective mental health care such as time and financial constraints. A new mental health model of care (Link-me+EMPHN) aimed at engaging and building capacity in GPs and practice staff for the provision of mental health services is being designed and implemented in a Primary Health region in Victoria, Australia.
Objective:
This protocol describes the formative research being conducted to inform the model to empower GPs and general practice clinics to enhance their confidence in mental health provision and improve patient outcomes.
Methods:
The formative research involves a multi-method approach comprising: 1. A desktop audit of currently available mental health training and guidelines for GPs; 2. Up to 20 semi-structured interviews with GPs and practice nurses; 3. An online survey exploring current mental health care practice; 4. Two codesign workshops with people with lived experience of mental health care help- seeking in general practice and four expert working group workshops with a multidisciplinary primary-care team, and; 5. Clinical testing of the model of care in a simulated practice setting with GPs and patients. The desktop audit, online survey and interviews will be mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework to systematically identify gaps in GP knowledge and skills in providing mental health care. Thematic analysis of the interviews will provide context for the gaps found in current mental health care and training so that we can begin to address these. Findings from each of the co-design, expert working group and simulation sessions will be thematically analysed and will include key themes, insights, and any practical implications.
Results:
The formative research received funding in May 2024, with the formative research components taking place from May 2024 to July, 2025. The findings of the study are tentatively planned for publication in early 2026.
Conclusions:
This formative research will generate a robust understanding of the factors influencing GP and practice engagement in mental health care and will provide practical solutions to improve implementation of the mental health model of care. The findings will contribute to creating a sustainable and scalable model that improves mental health outcomes for patients and supports GPs. Clinical Trial: N/A
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