Monday, May 21, 2012

Health Promotion Program

The health promotion program aims to build the capacity of general practitioners and general practice staff to take a systematic approach to plan and implement health promotion, prevention and early intervention activities.

The health promotion team is involved in a range of projects and activities including:
- Supporting practices with the uptake of new and existing initiatives such as: Lifescripts and    preventive health assessments.
- Providing educational visits on a variety of topics for GPs, nurses and practice staff.
- Implementing studies in general practice.
- Providing opportunities for general practice to participate in community forums.
- Collaborating with State and local health services to advocate on behalf of general practice.


Heatwave

What is a heatwave?
A heatwave is a period of unusual and uncomfortable hot weather that could impact on human health, community infrastructure such as the power supply and public transport, and services.

Heatwaves can affect anybody and cause illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke which may be fatal (Victorian Government, Department of Health).

Your patients could be at risk! 
There are a range of resources available to help you and your patients prepare for a heat wave. 

Department of Health Heatwave website
-  Heatwave Fact Sheet for Clinicians
-  Preventing Heat Related Illness fact sheet for clinicians and patients
-  Heatwaves - Important Information for Summer fact sheet Large text/Small text, also available 
   in Arabic, Cantonese, Croatian, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Mandarin, Turkish and   Vietnamese, 
- Complete list of the Department of Health heatwave publications and resources

Australian Red Cross Heatwave Advice
-  Coping with Hot Weather factsheet 
-  Coping with Hot Weather - advice for Seniors factsheet
-  Emergency REDiPlan for households

Nurse on Call
Nurse on Call is a phone service that provides immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Call 1300 60 60 24 for the cost of a local call from anywhere in Victoria. (Calls from mobile phones may be charged at a higher rate.)

Community Registers Initiative
Community Registers help people to feel secure and give them more confidence to live on their own in their own homes. People who are older, have a disability or are isolated for any reason, can put their name on their local register and can, if they choose, be contacted by telephone at agreed times on a regular basis, to check on their well-being.  This service is free and provides important information about local conditions and safety issues to participants through regular telephone calls or newsletters.

Victorian Metro Community Registers list 2010
National Redcross Telecross Service - 1300 885 698


45 – 49 Year Old Health Check

The aim of this health check is to assist with the prevention of chronic disease and to enable early intervention strategies to be put in place where appropriate. The health check is available to people between 45 and 49 years of age (inclusive) who are at risk of developing a chronic disease.

Please see the MBS items section, under Resources for further information and the following resources:
-  Fact sheet for GPs and practice staff
-  How to manual
-  Patient Information brochure
-  Letter template for patients - for Medical Director and Word
-  Patient information collection template - for Medical Director and Word
-  Health check template - for Medical Director and Word

The following resources are available on the RACGP website:
-  Presentation – explaining the 45-49 year old health check and what GPs and their teams    need to do
-  Checklist – based on the Red Book, providing an evidence-based summary of the key    factors to be assessed
-  Template letters to patients
-  MBS item descriptor
 

RACGP Prevention Resources

RACGP Red Book
Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice

RACGP Green Book
Putting prevention into practice

SNAP Guidelines
A population health guide to behavioural risk factors in general practice
Lifescripts

What is Lifescripts
Practical tips for GPs
Fax back lifescripts
Motivational interviewing

Maintaing a healthy weight
Eating well for health
Increasing physical activity
Quitting smoking
Reducing alochol related harm

Electronic Lifescripts Clinical Software Templates
Department of Health and Aging templates for Medical Director 2, Medical Director 3, Best Practice, Practix and Genie.
Lifescripts clinical software templates

Hardcopy Lifescripts Assessment Tools
Physical activity assessment
Alcohol use assessment
Smoking assessment
Weight management assessment
Nutrition assessment

Hardcopy Lifescripts Prescriptions
Prescription Active lifestyle
Prescription Healthy eating
Prescription Healthy weight
Prescription Low risk alcohol use
Prescription Smoke free life


Additional Health Promotion and Prevention Resources and Links
 
Family Planning Victoria - sexual and reproductive health care, education and advocacy
Australian Drug Foundation - working to prevent alcohol and other drug problems in communities.
Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol
Cancer Council Victoria - resources, education, training and support for general practice
Breast Screen Victoria - GP resources
Andrology Australia - Australian centre of excellence in male reproductive health
Nutrition Australia - promotion optimal health by encouraging food variety and physical activity
Diabetes Australia Vic General Practice Program - supporting general practice in the delivery of evidence-based diabetes initiatives
General Practice and the Heart Foundation - supporting the prevention, diagnosis and ongoing management of cardiovascular disease.
Beyond Blue - the national depression initiative
Beyond Blue directory of medical and allied health practitioners in mental health
HepB Help - assisting Victorian GPs in the further investigation and management of patients with chronic Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C Victoria - providing leadership and coordination for the community response to Hepatitis C