Helping your patients prevent type 2 diabetes
AMA Victorian President Dr Harry Hemley on type 2 diabetes prevention
Excerpts from Dr Hemley's speech at the launch of Victoria's Diabetes epidemic 10 Years On on type 2 diabetes prevention on 7 November 2011:
"When we get into our 40s and 50s we don’t exercise enough. And the problem is how do you get people to exercise, lose weight and consider what they’re putting in their mouths. It’s a difficult problem and the Life! program helps people to do that and we should be referring plenty of people to the Life! program because it is extremely helpful."
"Diabetes Australia (Vic) has for many years been a huge support to my patients in general practice and I’ve always recognised it as being a great organisation and we should continue to support it as much as we can. This information that they are providing to the community is very important."
"Diabetes Australia (Vic) does a great job. We should be supporting Diabetes Australia (Vic). I encourage Diabetes Australia (Vic) to continue the great work that they’re doing and we should be very proud of them."
Listen to the full speech here (right click and save file as)
Funding for Life! referrals
The Life! program has in place a referral funding agreements available for clinics and allied health professionals to refer high risk patients into the program. The referral agreement is in place for a limited time- until June 30th, 2012. For more information concerning Life! referral funding agreements please contact MJones@diabetesvic.org.au or by phoning 9667-1773
ASK
Identify people at risk of diabetes in your practice:
Waiting room Life! poster, Diabetes Risk Tests and Life! Brochures.
Patient questionnaires.
Search patient database for those who have risk factors, including:
- Pre-diabetes
- Impaired fasting glucose
- Impaired glucose tolerance
- Family history of diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Overweight or obesity
Reception staff can hand AUSDRISK test to patients 40 years and above.
During consultation, encourage patients to complete the AUSDRISK test.
ASSESS
Assess patients’ risk of diabetes
Send a letter and AUSDRISK test to all patients at risk of diabetes, identified through patient database search.
Verify the patient’s AUSDRISK test score.
Did the patient score six or above?
YES – Organise appropriate tests to exclude type 2 diabetes. Diabetes should be excluded by a fasting blood glucose (FBG) test and, if necessary an oral glucose tolerance test (OGT).
NO – Affirm positive lifestyle behaviours.
ADVISE
Patient has diabetes.
Refer to early intervention program.
Register for the National Diabetes Service Scheme (NDSS).
Patient does not have diabetes.
Provide tailored advice.
Tell the patient that they at risk of diabetes.
Provide information on type 2 diabetes prevention.
Give patient a copy of the brochure ‘Taking Action on Diabetes’.
Is your patient 40 or above, or an adult Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island person?
ASSIST
Refer your patient to Life!
To assist your patient to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes, refer them to
a Life! course or telephone health coaching on fax line 9667 1757.
ARRANGE
Arrange follow up
Follow up patient in twelve months as per best practice guidelines.
Diabetes should be excluded by a fasting blood glucose (FBG) test and, if necessary an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
You can download a pdf of this information.
For all other allied health professionals a separate funding agreement can be found here: