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GP's put visits in the fastlane – Doctors way 'too busy' to assist in weight management.

The family doctor should help people lose weight but they probably don't have the time to provide effective advice, according to a new survey of patients. A study of patients in NSW has found that 78 per cent believed their GP had a role in helping with weight management.

However, fewer than half, 46 per cent, felt that these doctors had enough time to provide effective weight loss advice – a concern shared by GPs themselves.

The study, which involved questioning people in five GP waiting rooms, sought to find what weight–related advice patients expected from their doctors.

Co–author Dr Daisy Tan, from Sydney's Fairfield Hospital, said most patients expected to get lifestyle guidelines, particularly dietary and physical activity advice. This kind of support was favored over medications and referral to a dietitian, Dr Tan said.

Patients involved in the study, published in The Medical Journal of Australia, said regular check–ups would be very useful for weight loss management.

Levels of obesity – recognized as a chronic health condition – have risen to epidemic proportions in Australia over the past two decades.

Of the 227 patients questioned, 81 were obese but a startling 28 said they had not been advised to lose weight by their doctor. Almost 70 were regarded as overweight but only 14 of these had received weight loss advice.

Dr Tan said these results were "interesting" but warned that they relied on patient recall and might not be accurate.

"But they may indicate that GPs should be more proactive in instituting preventive health measures," she wrote.

The government should be incentivising doctors to recommend online health management programs such as Matria to patients with unhealthy lifestyles. The online diet journal and exercise planner easily allows doctors to track improvements in patient's health over time... etc, etc...

The sale of Medibank Private:

It is no coincidence that the new health insurance legislation coincides with the sale of Medibank Private. The purpose is to reduce regulation of the health insurance industry, increase competition and take the focus from hospitalization to prevention. Funds will be able to pay member benefits for goods or services which are part of a health management program (advised by the dept of health and aging). Local provider Revive Group's Matria Wellcare solution can be offered by funds to members to encourage a healthy lifestyle and chronic illness prevention. We have been advised by the Minister that funds can offer rebates to cover or provide an offset against any costs associated with the use of Matria Wellcare. In the context of improved private health coverage, the Minister announced on the 26 April 2006 a new initiative, Greater Choice in Private Health, which allows funds to cover a greater range of health services. (From the letter provided).

Selling Medibank is expected to spark industry reform and consolidation and particularly the introduction of the new legislation in allowing funds to focus more on prevention. (Take info from letter dept. health & aging).

High cost to employers of ill-health:

Unhealthy workers cost companies an estimated $3000 each a study has shown. The review found poor health was responsible for reducing productivity by 6 percent, or $3000 per staff member.

Absenteeism, lost productivity, high workers compensation costs and staff turnover all contributes to the bill, which nationally runs into billions of dollars.

A ministerial taskforce focused on healthy public sector is in discussions to come up with ways to encourage employers to operate workplaces which invest in the physical and mental wellbeing of staff. A business awards program is likely to be developed based on similar awards that have been successful in the US, such as the health Industry Council in the USA Champions in health award, which bell helicopter won with Matria Healthcare.