The MediMinds Programme

MediMinds provides an integrated medical and psychological intervention, delivered via online group sessions (8 - 14 clients) to enhance patient outcomes. These sessions offer specialist medical and psychological support, specifically designed for chronic medical conditions.

The MediMinds framework has been specifically designed from a biopsychosocial perspective to overcome the limitations of the current health system, utilising shared medical appointments and integrated care.

Why Shared Medical Appointments?

The literature demonstrates the effectiveness of shared medical appointments in terms of reducing symptoms and managing disease, in addition to decreasing social isolation and enhancing positive coping through collaborative problem-solving.

The MediMinds approach involves the innovative concept of having two or more clinicians (a Clinical Psychologist and Consultant Gastroenterologist) working with groups of 8-14 patients to improve chronic health conditions from both a medical and psychological perspective.

Shared Medical Appointments Offer a Solution by:

  • Integrating allied health providers and medical specialists.
  • Reducing overall investigation needs compared to standard models of care.
  • Enhancing clinician-patient face-to-face engagement and medical support.
  • Promoting meaning and purpose for clinicians by adopting a solution-based approach to chronic medical conditions.
  • Addressing healthcare system demands by treating multiple patients at a time.
  • Reducing hopelessness and distress related to chronic health conditions.
  • Supporting effective coping mechanisms.
  • Enhancing relational engagement to buffer clients from chronic pain and stress.

How Can a Psychologist Help?

Psychologists are experts in human behaviour. They can help people:

  • Identify specific emotional, interpersonal, regimen, or physician-related aspects of a condition that impact mood and quality of life.
  • Positively adjust to illness by supporting adaptation to major life events.
  • Make lifestyle modifications through goal setting, tracking progress, and managing relapses effectively.
  • Increase self-awareness and sense of control by teaching skills to focus on controllable factors and change relationships with external stressors.

MediMinds Intervention Structure

  • 6 x 90-minute shared medical appointments led by Dr Sarah Anticich (Clinical Psychologist) and Dr Nicholas Anticich (Consultant Gastroenterologist & General Physician).
  • Groups of 8-14 clients.
  • Clinical psychology education.
  • Adjunct specialist support and advice from dieticians and clinical nurse specialists.
  • Promotion of positive coping strategies and development of a toolkit to enhance quality of life.