FAQs For Patients
What is Exercise Physiology?
Exercise Physiology is the new way to improve your lifestyle, help you recover from injury, or prevent and manage a chronic disease – all through the careful clinical application of exercise as a treatment and therapy.
It’s exercise with a difference. That’s because Exercise Physiology rests on the principle and practice of using exercise as medicine. Applied clinically, exercise has been proven to increase quality of life, speed up recovery and successfully prevent, treat and improve a range of health-related problems and conditions.
What is Dietetics?
All of Dietetics focuses on the importance of maintaining optimum nutrition at all stages of our lives. It’s about selection and preparation of food to achieve a healthy diet. Good nutrition and sensible dietary habits can make a big difference to a person’s health and overall wellbeing.
What is an Exercise Physiologist?
Accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), highly qualified, university-trained professionals practice Exercise Physiology. First they assess, then manage and improve both injuries and chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension or arthritis through the application of specific exercise programs. They tackle obesity and can make a significant difference to the health and wellbeing of seniors. Exercise Physiologists have extensive knowledge of human anatomy, musculoskeletal injuries, cardiac disease and other metabolic and physiological conditions.
What is a Dietitian?
Dietitians provide dietary advice and education. They are accredited allied health professionals who have completed a minimum of four years of university education and clinical training in a hospital setting. The Dietitian’s Association of Australia governs the activities of Accredited Practicing Dietitians.
Dietitians are experts in good dietary habits. They possess a wide knowledge and skill base to provide patients and clients with up-to-date, evidence-based medical nutrition therapy.
How is Exercise Physiology different from personal training?
This question is commonly asked and a number of different answers always seem to surface but there is a very simple answer. A Personal Trainer normally operates solely in a gym setting, training persons who are apparently healthy thereby they possess very few or no risk factors for exercise. That is not to say all healthy patients prefer to work with a personal trainer as Exercise Physiologists are more than able to help them keep fit, maintain mobility and stay well and healthy.
Exercise Physiology treatment is carried out in a clinical setting by university trained Accredited Exercise Physiologists who have completed at least 500 clinical hours of training. Exercise Physiologists have extensive knowledge of human anatomy, musculoskeletal injuries, cardiac disease and other metabolic and physiological conditions. Exercise Physiologists are the experts in the field of exercise.
Do I need a referral?
If you are a private paying patient there is no need for a referral from your GP, however if you can bring an up to date medical history from your Doctor this helps our Exercise Physiologists and Dietitians during the initial consultation process. All patients who attend the clinic under Medicare, DVA, Workers Compensation and CTP claims will need a referral prior to attending an initial consultation.
Why have I been referred to see an Exercise Physiologist or Dietitian?
Our staff are happy to answer this question for patients when they phone or attend the clinic for the first time. It is important that you are aware as to what we are assisting you with and more importantly how we can help. Although different referrals are made for each patients individual conditions, exercise physiology and nutritional treatment is normally provided to prevent or manage a chronic disease or injury, assist in restoring your health, or to improve physical function and wellbeing. Your GP and/or specialist works closely with other health professionals to ensure the best possible health outcome for you and for this reason Exercise Physiologists and Dietitians are used to help patients manage their medical conditions, feel better and improve their quality of life.
What should I expect from my visit with an Exercise Physiologist?
When you see our Exercise Physiologists you can expect the following: An assessment to understand your current health, capabilities and physical status Discuss your exercise history An explanation of how exercise can assist with treating or improving conditions/quality of life An opportunity to determine and discuss goals relating to health and exercise, with strategies to achieve these goals Development of an individualised exercise program – home or clinic based, in a group or individual setting Discussion and instructions on how to complete the prescribed program, instructions on correct techniques, intensity and frequency of the exercises in your program A detailed written report back to your referring GP, specialist or other health practitioner Depending on your goals, regular monitoring in the clinic or periodic reviews and program upgrades
What can I expect from consultations with a Dietitian?
When you see our Dietitian, you can expect the following: An initial assessment to understand your current health and physical status, with an assessment of diet history Analysis of your dietary intake according to food groups and nutrients An opportunity to determine and discuss goals relating to health and diet, with strategies to achieve these goals Appropriate nutritional education, advice and ongoing support to promote behavioural changes and lifestyle modifications Development of an individualised and tailored meal plan, with healthy food choices
How long will the initial consultation take?
Your first visit you should normally allow between 30-60 minutes. Subsequent consultations may vary between 20-40 minutes.
What should I bring to an exercise physiology consultation?
When attending your exercise physiology consult please be sure to bring any relevant referral forms, any information regarding your medical and injury history (e.g. scan results, x-rays, blood tests), as well as any medication lists. We also advise wearing comfortable clothing and appropriate closed in footwear to ensure you can exercise safely. If you are exercising in the gym please be sure to bring along a water bottle and a towel.
What should I bring to a dietetics consultation?
When attending your dietitian consult please be sure to bring any relevant referral forms, any information regarding your medical and injury history (e.g. blood tests, etc), as well as any medication lists.
We also advise completing our clinic food diary which can be found under forms on our website
What is a food diary?
Our food diary that we provide our patients gives you the ability to provide a written report of what you have eaten and drunk over the specific timeframe identified. You need to write down everything you have consumed over the course of a day, a few days or the whole week. Be sure that you record everything, in as much detail as possible and be honest as you will only be cheating yourself.
Our food diary is the perfect way to research a pattern of eating, whether you are allergic to anything and to assess your overall intake of nutrition.
What if I need to cancel my appointment?
Please contact us as early as possible if you need to cancel your appointment. Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice will incur a cancellation fee (full treatment session fee).
This is really important, as we require at least 24 hours to fill your cancelled appointment.
What if I am running late for my appointment?
Please contact us as early as possible if you are running late to your appointment. Please be advised that your appointment time will finish at the original set time and the full treatment fee will be charged.
What are your payment policies?
Payment is required on the day for all appointments. Payment can be made in cash, via EFTPOS, or by credit card.
Are there rebates available for the consultation fee?
If you have a Medicare or DVA referral from your GP, all services provided are bulk billed. If you have private health insurance, you may also be eligible for a rebate depending on your fund and level of cover; however, please contact your health fund to check eligibility.
Do you treat Worker’s Compensation / WorkCover injuries?
We are specialists in WorkCover, worker’s compensation and workplace related injuries. A referral is required from a doctor or health professional so that we can seek approval from the insurer to conduct an initial assessment. It is important to also provide us with the following information:
Insurance company
Case manager name and contact details
Claim number and medical certificate
We are authorised under WorkCover QLD to provide Exercise Physiology treatment.
