43AMeaning of adult health check in item 710

43A Meaning of adult health check in item 710

(1) For item 710, an adult health check means the assessment of:

(a) a patient’s health and physical, psychological and social function; and

(b) whether preventative health care, education and other assistance should be offered to that patient, to improve the patient’s health and physical, psychological or social function.

(2) An adult health check of a patient involves all of the following:

(a) a personal attendance by a medical practitioner;

(b) taking the patient’s medical history, including the following:

(i) current health problems and risk factors;

(ii) relevant family medical history;

(iii) medication usage (including medication obtained without prescription or from other doctors);

(iv) immunisation status, by reference to the appropriate current age and sex immunisation schedule;

(v) sexual and reproductive health;

(vi) physical activity, nutrition and alcohol, tobacco or other substance use;

(vii) hearing loss;

(viii) mood (including incidence of depression and risk of self-harm);

(ix) family relationships and whether the patient is a carer, or is cared for by another person;

(c) examination of the patient, including the following:

(i) measurement of the patient’s blood pressure, pulse rate and rhythm;

(ii) measurement of height and weight to calculate body mass index and, if indicated, measurement of waist circumference for central obesity;

(iii) oral examination (including gums and dentition);

(iv) ear and hearing examination (including otoscopy and, if indicated, a whisper test);

(v) urinalysis (by dipstick) for proteinurea;

(d) undertaking or arranging any required investigation, considering the need for the following tests, in particular, (in accordance with national or regional guidelines or specific regional needs):

(i) fasting blood sugar and lipids (by laboratory based test on venous sample) or, if necessary, random blood glucose levels;

(ii) pap smear;

(iii) examination for sexually transmitted infection (by urine or endocervical swab for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, especially for those aged from 15 to 35 years);

(iv) mammography, where eligible (by scheduling appointments with visiting services or facilitating direct referral);

(e) assessing the patient using the information gained in the adult health check;

(f) making or arranging any necessary interventions and referrals, and documenting a simple strategy for the good health of the patient.