INFLUENCING PATIENT BEHAVIOR

ENACT STRATEGY: Referral Systems
Develop a referral system to help patients access further nutrition and physical activity resources

Influencing patients to adopt healthier behaviors regarding nutrition and physical activity must include strategies in the community, workplace, and home. A successful approach requires partnerships among health care providers, communities, schools, and nongovernmental organizations as well as government agencies. As the primary point of contact, physicians can refer patients to other members of this intricate collaboration web who can help bring about successful behavior change.

Characteristics

• Identify and collaborate with established resources including dietitians, counselors, etc.
• Draft and implement policy to support the referral system
• Emphasize preventive care resources
• Encourage community, state, and federal policies to restructure the public health and disease care system
• Include preventive care referrals as part of basic medical coverage

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Programs

The National Health Information Center (NHIC)
As a health information referral service, NHIC puts health professionals and consumers who have health questions in touch with those organizations that are best able to provide answers. 

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Tools

American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Statement

This statement for health professionals summarizes the evidence for the benefits of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, provides suggestions to healthcare professionals for implementing physical activity programs for their patients, and identifies areas for future investigation.

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