MEDIA RELEASE
For release 17 July 2006
GPs keeping australia healthy
Illawarra residents with diabetes are averaging $5360 annually in costs related to their health care (Diabcost, 2003). This figure increases up to $9645 annually for those people with multiple complications related to their condition. The Ausdiab study conducted in 2005 showed that 2 million Australians have pre-diabetes, with 275 people developing type 2 diabetes every day.
GPs can play a key role in changing lifestyle factors for patients to reduce the burden of disease in our community. Focus on prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes can reduce the cost to the individual and community as a whole.
Illawarra GPs are highlighting the vital role the family doctor plays in keeping our families healthy during Family Doctor Week, 16 July to 22 July. This year's motto, GPs Keeping Australia Healthy, is very timely with around 85% of the Australian population visiting a doctor at least once per year (Medicare Australia, 2005). GPs are in a unique position to be the gatekeepers to the overall health and wellbeing of the community.
Dr Jeff Hall, local GP, said "General Practitioners sit in a unique position to help patients prevent chronic and complex conditions by giving advice on improving your health, such as giving up smoking, reducing your alcohol consumption and increasing your levels of physical activity. By helping patients manage these lifestyle factors chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and depression can either be prevented or better controlled."
GPs are progressively increasing the number of patients they refer to other allied health professionals to prevent and treat a range of chronic diseases. This team based approach to patient care is proving to be the way of the future.
Darryl Sadgrove an Exercise Physiologist agrees that with the collaboration of GPs and other health professionals, patients can achieve significantly enhanced benefits. "As an Exercise Physiologist I work closely with GPs to enhance patient care in the treatment of conditions like diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, weight problems, depression and even cancer."
"Exercise Physiologists can enhance the care provided by a GP by supporting patients to maintain positive exercise and healthy lifestyle changes in the long term." He said.
With more and more GPs working together with allied health professionals the benefits of a collaborative multidisciplinary team-based approach are all positives for the Illawarra Community.
"See your doctor first, make it a general practice"
Media contact: Monique Piper, Community Relations Manager on 42267052 or 0413132479.
