Tools for health professionals

Section Links

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• What is the My Health for Life program?
• Who can take part?
• How to identify and refer patients
• WQPHN Contacts

My health for life Toolbox

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What is the My health for life program?

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My health for life is a free evidence-based lifestyle program funded by the Queensland Government and delivered by the Healthier Queensland Alliance. The program is designed to help Queenslanders live well and reduce their risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Eligible participants are moved through a behaviour change model to assist them in identifying a personal lifestyle change goal and are then provided the support and tools they need to help enact change. The program is a practical extension of the advice given by GPs and nurses to their patients, allowing participants to better understand their lifestyle risks and action their health goals.

• Delivered in six sessions over six months, with five sessions in the first three months
• Behaviour change program for patients at high risk of chronic disease
• Based on the Health Behaviour Change Theory: Health Action Process Approach
• Utilises principles of Motivational Interviewing
• Choice of individual phone coaching or local group programs (in locations with Facilitators)
• Delivered by qualified health professionals who have been trained to facilitate the program
• Designed to help patients make small, sustainable and heathy changes through practical skills and support
• Encourages social support and sharing of experiences between participants
• Patient goal directed
• As a prevention program, people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease are not eligible to enrol in the My health for life program

Who can take part?

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People aged 45 years and over (or 18+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) who have:	Or people aged 18 years and over with pre-existing conditions, including:
AusDRisk score ≥12 Absolute CVD score ≥15% Blood pressure reading either ≥ 160 systolic or ≥100 diastolic	Previous history of gestational diabetes mellitus Pre-diabetes (diagnosed IFG or IGT Familial hypercholesterolaemia Diagnosed high blood pressure Diagnosed high cholesterol.

GP consent is required for: Current acute illness, Surgery in previous 12 months, Pregnant, High blood pressure either: ≥160 systolic or ≥100 diastolic, Existing mental health issues.

How to identify and refer patients

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To identify eligible participants, general practice can use practice software Cat4Plus and Topbar (see toolbox)

To refer patients, health professionals can choose to:

1. Refer using eReferral templates (RTF) as below or Referral Form (PDF).  Referrals are sent to the My health for life team at Diabetes Queensland via Medical Objects or by Fax 07 3506 0909.  OR
2. Login to the health check portal, www.myhealthforlife.com.au/portal-risk-assessment/login and step through the questions with the patients and submit online – no referral form required (not for public use). Please see the toolkit for details.

eReferral templates

(Below are RTF files for use in Practice Software. Do not open files. Download directly to Practice Software)

• Best Practice Referral Template
  
• Medical Director Referral Template
• GP Complete Referral Template
• Zedmed Referral Template
• Referral Form (PDF)
  
  

Patients may self-refer

Patients can self-refer by completing the health check at www.myhealthforlife.com.au/risk-assessment or my phoning My health for life on 13 7475

See new tip sheets for general practices: Promoting My health for life, and Identifying My health for life patients.  Download these double-sided A4 tip sheets and discuss at a practice meeting or pass on to team members.

WQPHN Contacts

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Health Professionals seeking further information can contact Kathleen O’Hara at WQPHN, Mob: 0456 001 789, Kathleen.ohara@wqphn.com.au 

You can also contact a WQPHN Primary Healthcare Coordinator: