What is a health assessment?
A health assessment is an examination used to determine someone’s health status and identify areas that need attention. The examination may include physical, medical, or cognitive testing depending on the individual. Part of the process is gathering information about a patient’s lifestyle, medical history, and current symptoms. All of the information can be used to create a personalised healthcare plan for a patient depending on their needs.
Why do I need a health assessment?
A health assessment is important not only for examining your current health, but for determining potential health issues that could arise in the future. It allows you to take preventative steps to avoid future health problems by making the appropriate lifestyle or treatment changes early.
What’s involved in a health assessment?
The procedure for a health assessment will typically cover a variety of different areas. It is a long appointment that includes time with our nursing team as well as your usual GP. All of the data is brought together to create a full picture of someone’s general health.
Demographic and vital signs
Demographic factors include factors like age, gender, lifestyle, and occupation and will typically be recorded by your healthcare provider. Meanwhile, measuring vital signs like temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate are used to establish a baseline for your overall health.
Medical history
Getting a clear picture of both your family and medical history is important to identify potential health risks. Present factors include the existing complaints you have about your health, any chronic illnesses you’re dealing with, any ongoing treatments, your allergies, and all medications that you are currently taking. Historical factors focus on previous illnesses, surgeries you have had in the past, previous injuries, family health history and social history.
Physical examination
Your physical examination is used to check the various systems you have throughout your body. This includes the cardiovascular system for your heartbeat, the respiratory system for your lung function, the neurological systems to evaluate reflexes, motor functions and balance, and the musculoskeletal system to assess the mobility of your joints and the strength of your muscles.
Tests and procedures
The additional tests that a doctor recommends will depend on your individual health needs. Blood tests may be necessary to check cholesterol or glucose levels and detect infections. Imaging studies like ultrasounds or X-rays may be necessary in certain situations. Specific procedures, such as lung function tests, may also be necessary in certain cases.
Our health assessments
Heart health checks
We offer tailored checks to assess your risk of heart disease early if you’re 30 or older. Our assessment lets us determine your risk of a heart attack or stroke in the next five years. It also allows us to give you helpful advice that will help you to stay heart-healthy and prevent future problems.
45-49 year old health assessment
For anyone between 45 and 49, we offer one-time health checks to identify early signs of chronic disease. These allow us to offer advice and support healthy lifestyle changes before risks become health problems.
Over 75 health check for seniors
Yearly health checks for over 75 seniors help people stay independent, active, and healthy. This assessment is focused on mobility, memory, medication, and overall wellbeing.
Diabetes risk assessment & screening
Diabetes is diagnosed in over 300 Australians a day, making it important to prevent and detect early. This allows you to manage it better and start taking the right medication and incorporate the right lifestyle changes.
Menopause health assessment
We offer a menopause health assessment for anyone experiencing premature ovarian insufficiency, early menopause, perimenopause and menopause. These are used predominantly to support women in managing symptoms and identifying early any concerns.