Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of frequently asked questions which we regularly update to ensure you have as much information at your fingertips to help get started in the program.  

Q. How can this program allow for the potential to develop new referral pathways through General Practitioners and Endocrinologists?

There are a number of ways:

The program was developed by Dr David Dunstan a leading diabetes researcher at Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute. The program is ‘evidence based’ which is vital for ensuring the engagement of health and medical personnel. Because the program has evidence demonstrating its efficacy the Department of Health and Ageing have classified Lift for Life® as one of six seven accredited national programs under the Council of Australian Governments Healthy Communities Initiative. The fitness industry has plenty of anecdotal evidence about the positive changes it makes in people's lives, unfortunately across the industry there is not a culture of systematic data collection on the health outcomes of clients. As an industry we need more rigorous data collection and scientific evidence that clearly illustrates that use of our services can lead to positive changes in health status and health related quality of life. Without evidence indicating an ability to impact population health levels it will continue to be difficult to engage the broader allied health and medical sectors.

As mentioned previously The Lift for Life® program is supported by the Department of Health and Ageing’s Healthy Communities Initiative. The premise of this initiative is to deliver health and fitness programs at low cost to ensure that all Australians can access them, in particular those in a disadvantaged situation that experience the highest levels of chronic disease. Doctors and other health and community practitioners will only refer their clients to programs if they know that their clients can afford it. The Lift for Life® Team has been working consistently with charitable organisations in order to better understand the needs of the target group. We have also been consulting with and attempting to link Lift for Life® providers with local medical practices. The message is clear - if the program isn't affordable then the GP won't refer. All Lift for Life® program providers have the support of the Lift for Life® Team with the establishment of referral pathways.

Lift for Life^® has an online secure provider space where providers enter their participant data. This has multiple benefits:

• By doing this we are gathering more data about the effectiveness of the program and importantly the effectiveness and ability of the industry to work with at risk clients.
• The portal also allows Lift for Life^® providers to print graphical reports detailing each client's activities as they progress through the program. These reports can be sent to referring medical practitioners so they can see the positive changes that their patient is experiencing as a result of participation in the program. It’s also a great way to remind the referring doctor that your around.

Case Study:

One Lift for Life^® provider has sent one of her clients back to her doctor for a medication review. Participation in the program has seen him increase his lean muscle mass and reduce the amount of insulin he takes, he is now looking at a review of his other diabetes medication. The Lift for Life^® provider is offering the program to this participant at $5 a session, a price that in that region is considered extremely reasonable. The trainer went along with her client to his appointment with the doctor to get a better understanding of his diabetes care plan. She now has a relationship with the doctor whereby they communicate regularly about the progress of the patient. The doctor is now referring other patients to this providers business.