Publication: The Australian
Date: 27 November 2010
Section: Health & Science
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Adam Creswell, Health editor
A HEALTH coaching service has been shown in overseas trials to cut hospitalisation rates by 10 per cent.It has been launched in Australia as a means of improving patient outcomes while saving money.
The Health Dialog service, launched in Australia by health insurance giant Bupa earlier this month, involves a nurse phoning a patient with a chronic disease such as diabetes to help them better understand and manage their condition. This includes advising patients on adopting healthier habits as well as explaining the importance of taking prescribed drugs or following other treatments ordered by their doctor.
Services incorporating some of these features already exist, but Bupa says the Health Dialog service -- a stand-alone global company that Bupa bought in 2008 -- takes the concept further.
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