Melanie Franz, Nurse Educator (RACF & GP) for Integrated Care has collaborated with the North Coast Primary Health Network (NCPHN) to source and deliver education to primary health workers enabling them to manage chronic disease patients with behaviour change and health coaching. As a key project deliverable this initiative also supports the Winter Strategy 2018.
The NCPHN hosted the 5 Health Coaching sessions which were delivered to LHD and Primary Care staff across the district in Casino, Ballina, Kingscliff, Yamba and Grafton. The training was provided by the successful tender Medicoach with sessions facilitated by Kim Poyner, an award winning Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) member.
73 evaluations were received following the sessions with 98% rating the event and presenter as “good to excellent” and 86% of the participants agreeing to implement changes to their practice.
One of the bonuses for utilising Medicoach was the option of 1 hour follow-up mentoring webinars which reinforces the learnings from the 3 hour education program aimed to simplify the health coaching as a tool for managing patients with chronic illness.
The presenter Kim Poyner was professional, engaging, effective and adaptable. In all sessions she delivered an engaging workshop and the learning was targeted and highly relevant.
This was a very patient-centered approach to healthcare delivery, focussing on improving wellness as opposed to managing illness, thus empowering patients.
Following completion of this training the aim is that Primary Health Nurses will be better equipped to manage care for patients living with chronic conditions in turn preventing avoidable hospital admissions.
Since these sessions were run, other Primary Health Networks have shown keen interest in running these sessions locally.
Left: Melanie Franz, Nurse Educator (GP & RACF), Integrated Care, NNSWLHD. Right: Kim Poyner, Health Coaching Facilitator, Medicoach.
