Health Assessments

A Continuous Quality Improvement Initiative (CQI)

General practice is at the forefront of healthcare in Australia and is well placed to deliver essential preventive healthcare activities. General practices have the opportunity to assess a patient's health and wellbeing, and health assessments serve as valuable tools in supporting the delivery of quality healthcare

Step 1. Watch the webinars (links located on the right side recourse panel)

Setting up your practice for health assessments - for non-clinical staff 

In 30 minutes, discover how health assessments can be integrated into your practice to enhance efficiency and patient care, even without a clinical background. Optimize care delivery, maximise sustainability, and unlock new revenue streams within your role through strategic MBS item utilisation.

Unlock the potential of health assessments - for clinical staff

Enhance patient care using Health Assessment MBS Item Numbers. This webinar will guide you through effective strategies and practical applications to improve patient outcomes. Advance your clinical skills, impact patient health positively, and achieve continuous professional development by self-report.

Step 2. Utilizing health assessments and preventative health care

Health assessments are a cornerstone of preventative healthcare, providing a proactive approach to patient wellness and disease prevention.  Utilising Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers for age groups like 40-49 years old and those over 75, practices can enhance patient care, reduce the burden of chronic diseases, and ultimately improve health outcomes.

• Streamline Appointment Scheduling: Set dedicated times for health assessments.
• Educate and Engage Staff: Regularly train staff on the importance and procedures of health assessments to enhance advocacy and facilitation.

• Utilise Reminder Systems: Use automated reminders for both staff and patients to keep health assessments on schedule.
• Optimise Billing Practices: Ensure knowledge of billing for MBS item numbers related to health assessments to support financial sustainability.

Enhance Patient Awareness through a team-based approach: Promote the benefits of health assessments through various patient communication channels to increase participation.  Get administrative staff, practice nurse and general practitioners involved.  

Step 3. Choose your Quality Improvement Activity

1. Simple PDSA to record ethnicity: New to CQI?  Why not try this simple activity?  Update missing ethnicity recording for best patient care and high-quality data.
2. 40-49 year old type 2 diabetes prevention mini-audit: Our mini-audit will help you evaluate your practice against evidence-based standards and pinpoint improvement areas. The Mini audit is designed to help general practices streamline the process of conducting health assessments, thereby facilitating improved patient outcomes and increased efficiency.
3. Choose your own adventure: Tailor your quality improvement efforts to match your practice's unique needs and goals. This option gives you the freedom to innovate and adapt as needed.  

Get Support

For support and guidance on implementing health assessments in your practice, contact our quality improvement and development engagement officers via the Practice Support email and phone line.