Background
Evidence based guidelines recommend
that adults be assessed for modifiable
lifestyle risk factors: smoking, nutrition,
alcohol and physical activity (SNAP)
regularly. This article discusses the routine
practices of GPs regarding assessment
and management of these risk factors.
Discussion
Chronic disease risk factors are common
in the Australian population, and GPs are
ideally placed to offer assessment, advice
and referral to services and programs.
Recent changes to Medicare rebates
for prevention activity may encourage a
greater focus on prevention.
Results
Over half of the GPs usually assessed
smoking and alcohol, and assessed a
patient’s readiness to change before
offering advice. Diet and activity were
assessed less frequently, with only 22%
usually assessing diet and 28% usually
assessing activity. Referral rates were
low, with less than 10% of GPs reporting
that they usually referred patients to
programs. Less than 20% of GPs reported
having difficulty referring to programs.
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