Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41576398›Full record

ArticleJMIR research protocols2026

Developing the Link-me+EMPHN Mental Health Model of Care to Improve General Practitioner Capacity for Mental Health Care in Australian Primary Care: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Formative Study.

Amy Coe, Jane London, Anne-Marie Martin, Aaron van Ree, Kirsty Lembke, Caroline Johnson, Bridget Bassilios, Catherine Kaylor-Hughes

Abstract read
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Article in JMIR research protocols, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Amy CoeDepartment of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3723-7645
Jane LondonEastern Melbourne Primary Health Network, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1640-5074
Anne-Marie MartinEastern Melbourne Primary Health Network, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6678-8835
Aaron van ReeEastern Melbourne Primary Health Network, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0508-4025
Kirsty LembkeEastern Melbourne Primary Health Network, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4647-8532
Caroline JohnsonDepartment of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4755-7514
Bridget BassiliosMelbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6255-017X
Catherine Kaylor-HughesDepartment of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3353-4108

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe rising prevalence of mental health conditions continues to place significant pressure on general practitioners (GPs) and general practice. 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.

objectiveThis protocol describes formative research that aims to support the implementation of the Link-me+EMPHN Mental Health Model of Care in general practice, focusing on identifying current gaps in GP mental health training, assessing barriers and facilitators to implementation, exploring stakeholder perceptions and experiences, and determining needs and priorities for successful integration into routine practice.

methodsThe formative research involves a multimethod approach comprising (1) a desktop audit of currently available mental health training and guidelines for GPs; (2) up to 20 semistructured interviews with GPs and practice nurses; (3) an online survey exploring current mental health care practice of GPs and practice nurses; (4) two co-design 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) testing of the model of care in a simulated practice setting with GPs, patients, and Care Navigators. 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 analyzed and will include key themes, insights, and any practical implications.

resultsThe formative research received funding in May 2024, with the formative research components taking place from May 2024 to July 2025. As of June 24, 2025, a total of 5 people participated in co-design, 14 in semistructured interviews, 28 in simulation sessions, 30 completed the online survey, and 4 working groups have been held. The desktop audit yielded 270 results. The findings of the formative research are tentatively planned for publication in 2026.

conclusionsThis 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. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/79560.

Indexed as

General PractitionersMental Health ServicesAustraliaHumansPrimary Health CareQualitative ResearchResearch DesignVictoriaco-designdecision supportformativegeneral practiceimplementationmental healthmodel of careprimary careTheoretical Domains Framework

Identifiers

PMID41576398
PMCPMC12881906

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.