Rebecca – New Zealand Health Improvement Practitioner
I’m Rebecca and I’m the Health Improvement Practitioner at 5th Ave Family Practice. I’ve been a part of the team for a few years now. Previously I have worked for 12 years as an Occupational Therapist in mental health services across all age groups. Originally I’m from the south coast of England, but I’ve lived in New Zealand since 2007, so not exactly fresh off the waka. I absolutely love working in primary practice and being the first port of call for any issue, no matter how big or small.
Here’s some answers to some of the questions you might have about my role as a Health Improvement Practitioner.
So what is a Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP)?
All HIPs are registered Healthcare Professionals with a current practicing certificate. I’m an occupational therapist.
As a HIP, I work alongside your GP to support you to achieve your health goals.
What happens in a HIP appointment?
I’m interested in getting a big picture understanding of you as a person, your life situation and what’s important to you. I’ll ask questions about different aspects of your health including physical/tinana, mental/hinengaro, social/whanau and spiritual/wairua health.
Then we look at the issue you’d like some help with and work together to find a skill or practical plan to improve things.
You are the expert on you, so we’ll try to link the plan to what’s important to you and that it is achievable.
Give me an example of how a HIP could be helpful where I’d usually just see my doctor?
Imagine you injure your back. An appointment with your GP is important for assessment, diagnosis, medications, investigations etc.
However, in time your injury may have a ripple effect on other areas of life: poor sleep due to pain, it may limit being able to work or parent or do usual household chores. Frustration or low mood may develop. You may withdraw from friends, comfort eat, or drink an extra glass of wine to cope with everything.
HIPs can support you with any of the issues above; they’re all having an impact on your wellbeing. HIPs are experts in helping you put the pieces of the puzzle together and finding a skill and a starting plan to getting back on a positive track.
It doesn’t take away the importance of seeing your GP, but a HIP appointment is an extra resource to get you back in the driving seat with some skills to face any bumps on the road.
What sort of issues can a HIP help with?
- mood related issues
- relationship stress
- alcohol or drug concerns
- fatigue / managing long term conditions
- confidence / self esteem
- neurodiversity
- gender / sexuality
- coping with a new diagnosis
- major life changes
- managing persistent pain
- sleep difficulties
- eating behaviours
- starting points for exercise
- work / study stress / burnout
- parenting difficulties
- grief
- anything else you’d like to improve
What age range do HIPs see?
HIPs see people of all ages, from children right through to our older generation. Each age and stage of life has different challenges – as we know.
What don’t you do?
I don’t see acute/crisis presentations. You need to book with the acute doctor as the first port of call.
I’m not medically trained and can’t offer advice on medications or treatments. For this reason I am unable to diagnose, assess or complete investigations, or sign off medical/work certificates.
Are you a counsellor?
I’m not a counsellor, but I am trained in Focussed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which has a strong focus on connection with values and building meaning to life, learning skills to handle the difficult thoughts and feelings, and coming up with practical changes to improve things. Talking is involved of course, but in general it’s “less hui, more do-ey”.
If you feel that you need counselling, talk to your GP about your options. You can still see me as a starting point. Some people find the skills a HIP can provide are enough.
Tell me about the logistics?
Appointments are free of charge and 25 minutes, but can be shorter.
Your GP may introduce you to me for a same day appointment (usually within 30 minutes). If you can’t stay, we’ll make a booking instead.
You don’t have to see your GP to see me; you can book yourself directly with me via reception. Phone appointments are an option too.
You’re welcome to bring whanau or support people into the appointment.
Keep in mind that you will need to see a GP for any acute/crisis situations.
I’ll enter notes onto your medical record and I always feedback to your GP, so they’ll be ‘in the loop’.
How many appointments will I need?
Some people only need one appointment to set their waka in the right direction again, while others come back to learn new skills, or look at a different issue.
You can re-book as needed. Once you’ve got a few skills under your belt you won’t need ongoing appointments.