1
The check(up) list
The why's and what's of components we've chosen for farmers
Bloodpressure
Cholesterollevel
Bloodsugar
Weight
Smokingstatus
Pulse
Mental healthquestionnaire
Significantfamily history
Visualacuity
Step by Step
How does the screening process work?
There are three parts to the screening process, moving from intake to clinical checks and then on to GP review.
A
Step 1
Meet and Greet
First up, we gather the essentials and get a sense of how the participant is doing.
- Participants fill out a demographic questionnaire.
- Participants complete the mental health questionnaire "How are you today?"
- Height, weight and visual acuity are recorded.
B
Step 2
Clinical Assessment
Two nurses carry out the core checks and measurements.
- Blood pressure
- Pulse oximetry
- Blood glucose and cholesterol (finger prick)
- Lung function (currently omitted due to Covid)
C
Step 3
GP Assessment
A doctor reviews the results and talks through what happens next.
- The data and mental health questionnaire are discussed with the participant.
- Any other health issues can be talked through at the same time.
- A copy of the clinical findings and questionnaire is given to the participant.
- A referral to the participant's own GP is made if appropriate.
- If a referral is made, the Glob GP follows up two weeks later.
Confidentiality
We take confidentiality very seriously. Only Christian names are recorded on the questionnaire. A carbon copy is used for computer entry and then stored in a safe.
After the assessment
After the assessment (which takes approx. 10 minutes) participants are asked to write some feedback about the project. We now have thousands of comments which are 100% positive. Many wives, partners and family members have told us "He/She is now a different person" and have thanked us so much for the service we have provided.
Such positive feedback is a huge morale booster for the Glob Team. People tell us how easy the process was, how friendly the team has been, and how it has changed their attitude towards having a regular health check. Perhaps the most positive feedback has been for the telephone contact 2 weeks later after their recommended referral to their own GP. They feel acknowledged and cared for.
Questionnaires used
NOT A GP SERVICE
This is not a GP service. There is limited physical examination, no investigations and no treatment. If a recommendation for a referral is made, the person concerned accepts complete responsibility for arranging an appointment with their own GP.
Measurements
- Height, weight
- Visual Acuity
- Blood sugar, blood cholesterol
- Skin check
- Mental health questionnaire
The wider landscape
Ensuring follow-ups and follow through with our farmers
2
Written recordof clinical results
3
GP evaluation
Results
To date, 5,700 people have been seen. A remarkable constant 25% at each venue (1100) have been found to have a condition that requires further investigation and possible treatment.
People seen to date
5,700
Across urban and rural communities
Constant referral rate
25%
At each venue checked so far
Further investigations
1,100
Referred for possible treatment
Conditions identified
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar
- High blood cholesterol
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Elder abuse
- Squamous and basal cell carcinomas
- Melanomas
- Ischaemic Heart disease
- DVT
- Loneliness
What we learned
One of the most important results of this project has been somewhat unexpected. The caravan is a very retro 1982 model. The clinical section is separated from the consulting station by a curtain.
The Doctors initial wish was for a wall and a door to be installed to maintain privacy and confidentiality. Dean Williamson suggested we wait awhile to see if this was necessary. It soon became apparent that those younger, less experienced farmers could hear part of the conversations from those who were older, and realise there is no shame in asking for help when they are struggling to cope.
Pie chart reports
The following charts were extracted from the original information pack and summarise participant profile and clinical screening data.