New online tool designed to maximise GP visits
Visits to the GP are set to be streamlined thanks to the ‘Navigating Wellness Health Checker’, designed to help older adult Kiwis, and their GPs, get the most out of their health care appointment.
In less than ten minutes, users can complete a set of comprehensive online health questionnaires in their own time, with simple yes or no answers. Results can then be easily downloaded, printed or shared via email, enabling users to cover a range of issues, and giving GP’s the chance to get a broader view of their patient’s current ageing journey.
Created by Third Age Health, a leading medical service provider for older adults living in residential care nationwide, the tool spans nine important topics from diet and nutrition to hearing and vision, to physical mobility, sleep, frailty and even loneliness and grief. Users can choose as many topics as they wish, with all results remaining anonymous and without personal data being stored by the site.
The ‘Navigating Wellness: a guide to primary health for older New Zealanders’ guidebook, was released in 2024, incorporating current research insights on managing your health, services and resources, practical tips and advice, designed to to support navigation through the health system and community health services.
Response to the guidebook motivated the decision to create the online health checker tool, according to Dr Joanna Hikaka, Third Age Heatlh advisory group member and co-director at the Centre for Co-Created Ageing Research.
“We’ve heard first hand from patients, support groups and health practitioners about the value of prompts and questions to drive reflection or discussion around health issues, especially around topics beyond the usual health-related areas,” said Dr Hikaka.
With the average GP appointment lasting only 15 minutes, getting all the necessary information from patients can be a challenge, according to GP Dr Diane Leach.
“It can be overwhelming for an older person as they often have a number of health issues, so this will take the pressure off GPs and patients, ensuring that every appointment gives a fuller picture of a person’s wellbeing.”
The CHT Aged Care Fund provides grants for projects spanning research, access to care, and workforce development, inspired by the goal of supporting delivery of high-quality care across the entire aged care sector.
Carriann Hall, Chief Executive at CHT Care Homes says, “the impressive uptake of the Navigating Wellness guidebook shows just how much this type of clear, self-support information is valued by older people and their loved ones, so we are very pleased to support the introduction of the online self-reflection tool to further enhance the experience for older people during vital GP visits.”
The online ‘Navigating Wellness Health Checker’, and the downloadable Navigating Wellness guidebook, are both available at thirdagehealth.co.nz
