Blog article
Meet your health savvy self
The Australian healthcare system is a mighty one. With both universal healthcare (Medicare) and private health funds like HBF available, Aussies have access to an incredible network of health professionals.
HBF has slotted into this ecosystem for over 80 years and while you may know us as the WA-proud health fund with the cheeky quokkas on the tele, we’re ultimately a force for our members – helping you navigate a health system we know very well by engaging our team of doctors and health professionals to simplify the sticky stuff and break down the big stuff.
Join us as we delve into the data uncovering the common procedures and treatment options that may not always be necessary and explain when you should be asking your medical team questions (and what questions to ask) – it’s time to enter your health savvy era.
Sounds great… but what does ‘health savvy’ mean?
We want you to leave your medical appointments with fewer question marks and more questions answered. Sound good?
Keep reading.
We’re on a research-led mission to provide you with the resources and expert advice you need to feel empowered
throughout your health journey – covering topics and treatments from injections to spinal
fusion, and the preventative programs that could serve
you better in the long run.
Ultimately, we’re always trying to find more value for our members – and if we can provide trusted insight into how to get more out of your medical appointments, that’s a huge win for everyone.
Because being comfortable navigating your health, from medical jargon to various treatment options, makes you health savvy – and being health savvy feels fantastic!
The treatment options section of our blog delves into research and expert-led articles on common procedures and how to navigate the various options surrounding them including options you may not have considered, such as our Health Support Programs, fully covered* for eligible HBF members.
Meet our health team
A moment for the masters of our health space, because the information we share with you is far from copy and paste. Our health team spans doctors to nurses to dietitians, each with a deep understanding of Australia’s health landscape and a passion for preventative health.
- Dr Andy Papa-Adams – Chief Medical Officer
- Mary Du Heaume – Member Health Coach and Accredited Practising Dietitian
- Phaedra Gurton – Senior Health Coach and Registered Nurse
- Perri Yiu – Member Health Coach and Accredited Practising Dietitian
- Brianna Boljevac – Member Health Coach and Accredited Practising Dietitian
- Pamela Whelan – Senior Clinical Advisor and Registered Nurse
HBF are dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of our members by promoting evidence-based care, improving access to quality services, and driving better health outcomes. - Dr Andy
Procedures, treatments, and operations – it’s complex, but here’s why you should always ask questions
Ultimately, if we can help our members feel confident and empowered to seek the best outcomes for a healthier life
– that’s a huge teal tick for us. That’s why we’ve worked together to simplify topics and
help you engage with your health team in a way that gives you the power to make informed decisions.
Data tells us that1 :
- Around 30% of medical treatments provide little benefit, are unnecessary or do not align to evidence-based care.
- 10% of treatments actually cause harm.
Whilst these statistics may seem shocking, they provide a valuable lesson of the importance of having the confidence to ask more questions and get a treatment plan tailored to your health needs.
How do I know if a test or procedure is right for me?
Looking for the best questions to take into your next medical appointment to avoid leaving confused or conflicted? Dr Andy has put together five for your GP and five more for your specialist.
No matter what life throws your way health-wise, you want to feel like you’re steering the ship – not out
on a dodgy life raft without a paddle. Let’s look at some typical cases (based on real-life scenarios) to help
explain how being health savvy can help you get the best outcome.
Case study: Ned and his niggling knee
Meet Ned. His knee osteoarthritis pain has recently gone from niggling to severe, and he is in the throes of speaking with his specialist about having a knee arthroscopy - a procedure whereby a tiny camera is inserted into the knee joint so that a specialist can see and potentially treat the problem.2
Ned is experiencing a reduced range of motion alongside stiffness but also finds himself faced with the fear of
developing a tear – something his dog, Bruce would not be impressed with should his daily walks come to a
halt! While Ned has every faith in his specialist and the advice he has been given, like his knee pain, he has a
niggling feeling that maybe he should know more about his condition and the treatment suggested – is it his
only option?
It’s important to know the downsides of any treatment before you’re all in, knees and all. So, what are
the questions Ned should be asking his specialist? Here’s where Dr Andy and our health team suggest he
start.
- How will this treatment improve my quality of life?
- What are the chances this will work for me?
- Are there newer or more effective treatments available?
- What are the costs and will my health cover help with expenses?
- What are my other options?
Experiencing osteoarthritis? A knee arthroscopy may not be the answer
Case study: Delilah and her diabetes
Meet Delilah. She has just received a diagnosis from her doctor of type 2 diabetes and is feeling slightly overwhelmed looking at her diary and the looming appointments with numerous specialists. There is a lot to take in, from dental to diet, and she wants to make sure she is set up to manage her condition as best she can. A health-savvy approach to managing a chronic condition like type 2 diabetes requires seeking support - you are not alone - and creating a network of skilled sidekicks will help you feel in control.
So, when Delilah found herself in the deep end of a diagnosis, she knew it was time to build her health team. Qualified dietitian and HBF Health Coach Mary Du Heaume is the perfect example of the support available to HBF Members who choose to embrace a health program like COACH to manage diet and nutrition, and Dr Andy adds that taking notes in appointments can be helpful – this could also be making sure you have someone with you as your trusted scribe.
Dealing with a chronic health condition like type 1 or 2 diabetes? We’ve got support programs for that – and the results are incredible. Learn more.
Resources and further reading
Here’s a list of HBF-focused and external resources to help with your empowerment.
- HBF Health Support Programs can help you manage chronic health conditions
- Have you heard of Choosing Wisely Australia? Their goal is to start conversations between consumers and clinicians about unnecessary treatments, tests and procedures, enhancing the quality of care and, where appropriate, reducing unnecessary care. For more information, see Choosing Wisely.
- National Preventive Health Strategy 2021–2030
- Read about the importance of preventative health
If you’re considering a medical procedure, it could be worth checking if we have covered the topic on our treatment options hub.
Ask yourself: what else could I be doing for future me?
Your health is yours to nurture, and with 1 in 2 Australians living with a chronic disease3, it’s time to pay attention to preventative health and what you can do to lower your chance of developing preventable conditions, as well as invasive treatments or procedures that can impact you mentally, physically, and financially.
None of us have a crystal ball when it comes to our health and while you can’t predict the future – you can be more health-savvy by considering family history, understanding your current health challenges or conditions, and embracing preventative health measures where you can.
Regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, and smoking cessation are all key factors in better health – yet are not always easy to achieve. We want to help change this.
HBF has a range of health support programs available to eligible members, these programs can be accessed both online and in person and provide expert advice for those living with diabetes, osteoarthritis, joint pain, and chronic health conditions like heart disease and asthma.
Summary
- If you’ve ever left a medical appointment wishing you had asked more questions, not feeling confident in a treatment plan, or on a (flustered) mission to ask Dr Google – you’re not alone
- Taking your health into your own hands doesn’t mean ignoring expert advice – it means empowering yourself with the right questions, knowing you have options, and understanding when a second opinion may serve your situation
- HBF has engaged our team of health professionals to share the questions to ask your medical team, specifically designed to help you get more out of your medical appointments
- You often have more than one treatment option, and the data does currently point to many common procedures being either unnecessary or unhelpful
- Preventative health is a huge factor in reducing the need for some treatments and procedures, and we also want to educate our members on the health support programs available for them aimed at managing chronic health conditions and improving future outcomes
- If you’re confused after an appointment - it’s because it can be confusing, we’re here to help and hope the ‘treatment options’ tab on our blog can be a portal of (simplified) insight
