 Jacki Eckert
Immunisation, Practice Managers , Practice Nurses and Chronic Disease Management
Ph: 02 6049 1904
Fax: 02 6049 1999
Email: jeckert@bordergp.org.au
What are Lifestyle Modification Programs?
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects about 1.7 million Australians and currently there is no cure. It is the fastest growing chronic disease in Australia.
There are two main types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2. Type 1 is not related to lifestyle factors, while a person’s risk of type 2 increases the more overweight or inactive they become. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active and following a healthy balanced eating plan can significantly reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
In October 2007, the State Government of Victoria, Australia, funded a four year program to prevent type 2 diabetes in 25,000 people aged 50+ and at high risk of diabetes and has refunded the program from June 2011. Commonwealth funding for prevention programs for those aged 40-49 has now ceased. Note that preventative health assessments and education can be done in general practice through the 45-49 year old health assessment items.
What is Life! Taking Action on Diabetes program?
Life! Taking Action on Diabetes is a type 2 diabetes prevention program.
This lifestyle behaviour change program includes the Life! course and the telephone health coaching service.
Both options are run by experienced health professionals, including dietitians, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists and practice nurses.
The Life! course runs over six sessions in groups of between eight and 15 participants.
Sessions one to five run each fortnight over a ten week period. Participants are given the confidence to make small, achievable changes to improve their lifestyle and learn problem solving skills. Group members are encouraged to reach a weight loss goal through healthy eating and moderate daily exercise. Session six takes place eight months after session one began to provide participants with the opportunity to put the strategies they have learnt into place. Upon completion, group members are linked into local support networks (such as exercise groups) to allow them to maintain their improved lifestyle.
The telephone health coaching service includes the first session, a initial health coaching call and follow-up calls at 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 5 months.
From http://www.diabetesrisk.org.au/GPHealthProfessionals/WhatisLife/tabid/83/Default.aspx
GPs can refer potential participants into the course or the telephone health coaching service. The GP is provided with feedback on their patient’s progression and successes as they make their way through the program.
Diabetes Australia Victoria funding covers the prevention program for eligible people aged 50 and over, those with a past history of gestational diabetes and those with a past history of ischaemic heart disease.
Where, when and how of Lifestyle Modification Programs in Albury Wodonga.
A schedule of all programs is available from the facilitators, contact details on Resources page.
Health and Fitness Plus exercise physiologists currently offer the LIFE! Take Action on Diabetes Program. Running regular programs, day and evening.
Albury Community Health currently offer the Life program. ACH will have a focus on women with a history of gestational diabetes but will take other referrals also.
Eligibility is based on age, score on AUSDRISK risk assessment tool, exclusion of diabetes and past history.
- Any patient aged over 50 years who scores over 12 on AUSDRISK and has diabetes excluded.
- Any person with a past history of gestational diabetes who is over 18, not currently pregnant and does not have diabetes.
- Any person with a past history of ischaemic heart diasease, angina or myocardial infarction, aged over 18, who does not have diabetes and there has been at least three months since diagnosis or last MI.
- Patients from both NSW and VIC within the AWRGPN area can attend LMPs.
- A score of 12 or more on the AUSDRISK Tool is mandatory for a patient to be eligible to be referred to LIFE! unless past history of GD or IHD.
- The AUSDRISK Tool is mandatory to claim a diabetes at risk health assessment item (see resources page)
- The correct referral form must be used. Template can be found here and instructions for downloading into MD, Best Practice and ZedMed here (Do not open in Word if importing into clinical software). Fasting blood glucose and a lipid profile from the last 12 months are needed in all referrals.
- Practices who have signed a funding agreement with DA-VIC are eligible for funding for referring patients over the age of 50 years to the LIFE! Program
Alternatives if a Patient won't agree to attend the LIFE! Program?
- “Get Healthy” is a free, 6 month, confidential phone and web based service which helps people make lifestyle changes (NSW only)
- Use Lifescripts to help people identify positive changes they can make
- Diabetes Australia LIFE! phone health coaching information
What if I have a patient who wants to make lifestyle changes but already has diabetes?
- Consider referral to My Health My Life program run through Albury Wodonga Health Wodonga hospital Community Rehab Centre. This is a program looking at self management and lifestyle skills for people with a chronic illness. Flyer available here
What have Lifestyle Modification Programs achieved?
For information on what the the LIFE! Take Action on Diabetes Program has achieved, visit Diabetes Australia LIFE!. |