Clinical guidelines & publications library

Dementia - antipsychotic medications to care for people with behavioural and psychological symptoms

Addressing health inequity, Dementia, Professionalism

Best practices when considering the use of antipsychotic medications to care for people with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

The contribution to practice made by psychiatrists who have a personal experience of mental illness

Collaborative care, Culturally safe practice, Professionalism

The RANZCP acknowledges the contribution of psychiatrists with personal experience of mental illness.

Suicide prevention – the role of psychiatry

Ethics, Professionalism, Suicide

The RANZCP is committed to supporting people in suicidal distress and working with governments and communities to prevent suicides.

Specialist old age psychiatry workforce and training

Old age, Professionalism, Workforce

Old age psychiatry focuses on the mental health of older people. RANZCP and the Royal College of Psychiatry UK have agreed to cooperate on initiatives to increase the training and skills of its workforce. 

Safe, comprehensive, and equitable ADHD care

Addressing health inequity, ADHD, Ethics, Professionalism

Sexual orientation change efforts

Ethics, Historical practices, Professionalism

The RANZCP does not support the use of sexual orientation change efforts of any kind. There is no scientific evidence that sexual orientation can be changed. Sexual orientation change efforts risk causing significant harm to individuals.

Partnering with carers in mental healthcare

Collaborative care, Families, whānau & carers, Professionalism

This position statement affirms the importance and value of respectful and cooperative partnerships between psychiatrists and carers.

Patient–psychiatrist confidentiality: the issue of subpoenas

Ethics, Medico-legal, Mental health legislation, Professionalism

The use of subpoenas to access clinical records poses a risk to patient-psychiatrist confidentiality. Laws should be reformed to protect confidentiality in mental health care.

Relationships between old age psychiatry and geriatric medicine

Collaborative care, Ethics, Old age, Professionalism

Old age psychiatry and geriatric medical services need to work closely together to ensure the best treatment and care of older people.

Recovery and the psychiatrist

Collaborative care, Professionalism

Recovery is an important principle in psychiatry, with transformative potential for all people with mental illness.

Perinatal mental health services

Perinatal, Professionalism

This position statement outlines requirements for effective perinatal mental health services for parents, their babies and families.

Principles for the treatment of persons found unfit to stand trial

Ethics, Forensic, Professionalism

Persons who are acquitted on insanity grounds, or who are found unfit to stand trial deserve effective, ethical care and management. 

Private health insurance policies for psychiatric care in Australia

Insurance, Professionalism

Position Statement 91: Private health insurance policies for psychiatric care in Australia has been rescinded pending further review.

Prevention and Treatment of Gambling-Related Harm

Addiction, Professionalism

This position statement outlines the impact of gambling-related harm and the need for evidence-based preventative measures and therapeutic interventions.

Psychiatrists, online presence and social media

E-mental health, Ethics, Professionalism

Psychiatrists who use social media should do so in a professional manner and refrain from comments they would not make in a personal or professional capacity.

Psychotherapy conducted by psychiatrists

Professionalism, Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is an evidence-based treatment essential to psychiatric practice.

Public insurance schemes: advocating for mental injury claimants

Insurance

Aspects of personal injury and workers compensation schemes impose disadvantages on people with mental injuries, delaying recovery and compounding suffering.

RANZCP engagement with the pharmaceutical and medical device industry

Ethics, Professionalism

This Position Statement provides guidance on how the College may engage with pharmaceutical and medical device companies, and other commercial companies.

Recognising and addressing the harmful mental health impacts of methamphetamine use

Ethics, Illicit drugs, Professionalism

Amphetamine-type substances can be associated with acute mental effects and result in long-term harm. Psychiatrists have a leadership role in coordinating approaches to methamphetamine use.

Recognising and reducing alcohol-related harm

Alcohol, Professionalism

Excessive alcohol consumption has a detrimental effect on mental health with a well-documented relationship between alcohol misuse and mental health issues.