HEALTHCARE professionals are using a new online platform dubbed ‘Kaleidoscope’ to assist patients in Gippsland.
Part of Gippsland Primary Health Network’s (Gippsland PHN) Digitally Enabled Social Prescribing project, ‘social prescribing’ works by enabling general practitioners, practice nurses and other healthcare professionals to connect people with social, therapeutic and practical support in their area.
Kaleidoscope helps health professionals co-design care plans with their patients, supporting those patients to ‘own’ their health and wellbeing goals. Interested community groups register their details in an online community directory that enables them to receive non-medical referrals complementary to existing clinical treatments, by addressing a person’s social needs.
Gippsland PHN chief executive officer, Amanda Proposch, said the unique program encouraged people to stay connected with their community, while helping groups and organisations increase member numbers.
“Evidence suggests that people who are active in, and connected to, their community are more likely to have better health,” Ms Proposch said.
“For community groups and services, this means you can make a real difference in a person’s life who is feeling socially isolated with non-medical activities.”
Digitally enabled social prescribing has shifted the focus from illness to wellness, said Bank Place Medical registered nurse Ainslie Ernst.
The Drouin practice has been using the program as part of its chronic disease management processes.
“We saw the benefits of social prescribing in developing a goals framework with our client; we could follow up on their progress over time and really give the support needed to achieve an outcome,” Ms Ernst said.
Registered nurse, Emma Ewings, who also works at Bank Place Medical, said some examples of these goals included exercise, like walking a certain amount during the week, and connecting clients with community groups to combat social isolation.
“When a client feels they have more to give but are not sure where to start, we help by giving them information about groups they can join so they can still contribute to society,” Ms Ewings said.
“It’s positive to have an ongoing-goal process with our clients so that together, we can help people to achieve a heathier life,” she said.
