Clinical guidelines & publications library

Use of antidepressants to treat depression in dementia

Antidepressants, Dementia, Professionalism

Elderly patients with dementia and depression should receive psychosocial interventions in the first instance. Antidepressants should be considered if there is no response.

Eating disorders clinical practice guideline

Eating disorders, Ethics

This document is more than five years old and is no longer considered current guidance. PDF Clinical guideline

Keeping your head above water: affordability as a barrier to mental health care

Addressing health inequity, Culturally safe practice, Ethics, Physical health, Professionalism

PDF Report

Principles & guidelines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Addressing health inequity, Culturally safe practice, Professionalism

PDF Ethics and conduct

2013 workforce survey report of Australian psychiatrists

Workforce

This report provides data on the psychiatric workforce in Australia based on a survey of RANZCP members. PDF Report

Psychiatrists, general practitioners and psychologists

GPs and psychiatrists, Professionalism

Best practice referral, communication and shared care arrangements between psychiatrists, general practitioners and psychologists PDF Clinical guideline

Royal Commission: Preventing sexual abuse of children in out of home care

Children & adolescents

RANZCP submission to the Royal Commission: Preventing sexual abuse of
children in out of home care

Code of conduct

Ethics, Ethics and conduct, Professionalism

PDF Ethics and conduct

The role of psychiatrists in the prevention and early intervention of mental illness in infants, children and adolescents

Children & adolescents, Professionalism

Position Statement 64: The role of psychiatrists in the prevention and early intervention of mental illness in infants, children and adolescents has been rescinded pending review.

The prevention and early intervention of mental illness in infants, children and adolescents

Children & adolescents, Professionalism

This position statement has been rescinded pending review.

Neurosurgery for mental disorders

Historical practices, Professionalism

Position Statement 29: Neurosurgery for mental disorders has been archived.

Prescription opioids

Ethics, Opioids, Pain management, Professionalism

The RANZCP has endorsed this guidance produced by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. URL Clinical guideline

Opioid policy - improving management of chronic non-malignant pain

Culturally safe practice, Ethics, Opioids, Professionalism

Joint policy produced by the RACP, RANZCP, ANZCA and RACGP designed to assist medical professionals who are responsible for safely prescribing opioids. URL Clinical guideline

Electronic media recording and storage

Ethics, Patient privacy & consent, Professionalism

This guideline was rescinded in May 2023. PDF Clinical guideline

Illicit drugs policy

Ethics, Illicit drugs, Professionalism

This joint statement from RACP and RANZCP is for individuals and organisations in Australia and New Zealand involved in the development of policies and programs concerned with illicit drug problems. PDF Clinical guideline

Tobacco policy

Addiction, Addressing health inequity, Culturally safe practice, Ethics, Professionalism, Smoking cessation

Solutions for tobacco control to change the way physicians and psychiatrists view their role in reducing mortality and morbidity due to tobacco smoking. PDF Clinical guideline

Use of antidepressant medications in children and adolescents

Addressing health inequity, Antidepressants, Children & adolescents

This statement is addressed to prescribers, especially general practitioners, and is
intended to provide clinical guidance on the use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs) when treating children and adolescents. PDF Clinical guideline

Family and whānau involvement in mental health consumers/tangata whai ora care, assessment and treatment

Culturally safe practice, Families, whānau & carers, Māori, Professionalism

Guidance notes to assist mental health staff to work effectively with families. URL Clinical guideline

Apology for the role played by psychiatrists in the Stolen Generations

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Culturally safe practice, Ethics, Professionalism

The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists apologises to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for our failure as a group of doctors and psychiatrists to act early and effectively to prevent and reverse the disastrous practices of the Stolen Generations.

Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Services review of patient needs, service delivery and funding

RANZCP Vic Branch submission of a Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Services review of patient needs, service delivery and funding. PDF Submission