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Tools for Physicians and Other Providers: Helping Patients Reduce Health Risks

By reviewing and discussing Health Risk Assessment (HRA) results, doctors and other health care providers--the most trusted sources for health information--can play a critical role in motivating and guiding patients toward healthier behaviors. Physicians and other health care providers can highlight areas for improvement or concern, help patients identify realistic steps to address these issues, or refer patients to relevant resources within the health care team and community. Below are some strategies, tools and resources to support these discussions.

What you can do now

• Encourage your patients to take an HRA
• Review and discuss HRA results with patients
• Provide patients easy access to their health records (immunizations,
  medications, BMI)
• Ask patients what they are ready to change, document their goals in their
  medical records, and ask about progress at the next visit
• Help patients find resources and make realistic plans to improve their health

Helping Patients Improve Health Behaviors

Related Resources: Weight Management, Physical Activity and Nutrition

Resources: Helping Patients Improve Health Behaviors

Ask Me 3

Materials and tips to improve patient-provider communication, starting with three simple questions

(Source: Partnership for Clear Health Communication)

Provider Brochure (PDF)

Fact Sheet (PDF)

Words to Watch -- English (PDF)

Words to Watch -- Spanish (PDF)

5 A’s Behavior Change Model (PDF)

Guidelines for adapting the 5 A’s smoking cessation intervention (Assess, Advise, Agree, Assist, Arrange) to help patients develop goals and plans to change other behaviors.

(Source: Pilot Collaborative on Self-Management Support)

Motivating Change

Free, online, self-paced programs on motivating change in patients. Focus areas include Pediatric Overweight, Chronic Conditions and Brief Negotiation. Continuing Medical Education credits available.

(Source: Kaiser Permanente)

The SNAP Guide (PDF)

A detailed guide on counseling on lifestyle changes--including smoking, nutrition, alcohol and physical activity-based on the 5-A’s approach.

(Source: The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners)

Action Plan (PDF)

Simple form for assessing patient goals and developing a plan.

(Source: New Health Partnerships)

Prevention Prescriptions (PDF)

Sample “prevention prescriptions” for doctors and other providers covering areas that are likely to be highlighted in patients’ HRAs, including weight management, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and cancer screenings.

(Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)

Related Resources: Weight Management, Physical Activity and Nutrition

Assessment and Management of Obesity: A Primer for Physicians

A resource for providers who wish to help counsel and manage obese patients.  The primer is a ten booklet series that provides extensive information on evaluating patients for overweight and obesity, assessing readiness to change, counseling on dietary management, encouraging physical activity, designing systems approaches, and providing resources and tools.

(Source: American Medical Association, 2003)

  Tools include:

Assessment of Health Risks (PDF)

Assessment of Patient Readiness (PDF)

Adult Weight Management Clinical Guidelines (PDF)

Guidelines based on the 5 A’s approach. Includes suggested talking points and questions based on Body Mass Index levels.

(Source: Group Health Cooperative)

Three Steps for Initiating Weight Discussion With Your Patients (PDF)

Tips on communicating with patients, assessing their readiness to change, and partnering with them to make changes.

(Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

Patient Hand-outs

Fit 4 U (PDF)

This brochure lists local physical activity resources focused on children. Consider using this as a guide for developing a similar list of resources for your patients.

(Source: Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic)

AskMe3

Materials to help patients take a more active role in addressing health concerns with their health care providers.

(Source: Partnership for Clear Health Communication)

Patient brochure – English (PDF)

Patient brochure – Spanish (PDF)

Patient poster – English (PDF)

Patient poster – Spanish (PDF)

Weight loss management (PDF)

Questionnaire, eating and activity log, and weight loss tips.

(Source: AMA)

Physical Activity and Exercise (PDF)

Tracking calendar, help identifying barriers and benefits to physical activity.

(Source: AMA)