PhysiCards is an initiative of Flourish Australia’s Back on Track Health Program. They are physical cards covering a range of issues that help users keep track of their physical health needs when they are dealing with mental health issues.
How PhysiCards work
Consistent with recovery-oriented approaches to health, Flourish Auatralia wanted to give people greater agency over their physical wellbeing. To support this, we created a set of 34 prompt cards. Each card focuses on a specific topic – for instance, one is titled “My Allergies”. On the reverse side, you'll find guiding questions to help you reflect on that area of health.
Other Physicards cover physical health issues such as Parkinson’s Disease and the diet, digestive awareness for people living with IBS, eyesight, diabetes, weight loss and more.
You can then note any concerns on your My Health Needs To Do List – or simply tick the relevant box.
By working through the full set, you can identify any health issues you want to raise and bring the completed To Do List to your healthcare appointment, helping ensure nothing gets overlooked. If you’re connected with Flourish Australia and would like to try PhysiCards, speak with your support worker.
Physicard research
Anecdotally, we know that the PhysiCards make a difference in the lives of people who use them. However, with the aim of getting more rigorous data, we embarked on a randomised control trial in partnership with researchers at the University of Newcastle and the Heart Foundation.
It aimed to test the feasibility and acceptability of the PhysiCards to support people to identify health issues to seek further information and support about, and for discussion with their GP and other health professionals.
The full results of the PhysiCards randomised control trial are yet to be published, but preliminary data shows shows that:
● 83% of Physicards users identified at least one physical health concern they want support for, compared with 39% in the control group.
● 70% of Physicards users identified at least one physical health concern not previously raised with a health professional, compared with 36% in the control group.
● 67% of Physicards users identified at least one Cardiovascular Disease concern they want support for, compared to 25% in the control group.
Acceptability of the PhysiCards was rated highly, with the majority of trial participants agreeing that the PhysiCards: met with their approval (96.5%), were appealing (87.5%), were liked (91%), and were welcomed (89.3%).
Find out more
If you access Flourish Australia services, you can use the PhysiCards as an easy tool to help identify any physical health issues. Just speak to your support worker to find out more.
Talk to us today
For more information, contact us on 1300 779 270 or make an enquiry now.
