HCF commissioned Pure Profile to undertake the survey of more than 1,000 people to coincide with the relaunch of its web-based service, My Health Guardian, with key enhancements to help members to improve their health and wellbeing.
HCF’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Andrew Cottrill, said the new My Health Guardian portal provided a “wealth of clinically appropriate resources” to support people seeking advice on their health and wellbeing, and provided “personalised programs to drive improvements in exercise, diet and healthy lifestyle behaviours.” He said information and tools on the wellness portal reflected Australian clinical guidelines and international best practice for health and wellbeing.
The relaunch also includes integrated iPhone and Android applications designed to help users proactively manage their health through features such as a ‘Daily Challenge’, which Dr Cottrill said motivated users to take incremental positive steps in managing a healthy lifestyle. Portal users are supported by qualified exercise physiologists and dieticians.
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“It is clear to us that many of our members are becoming more actively engaged in their own health, but are not sure about how to use that information to start making positive and ongoing changes to their health and wellbeing.”
Dr Cottrill said My Health Guardian helped bridge the gap between information and action, with member’s health assessments generating “personalised and supported action plans.”
The survey found that while the family doctor remained the major port of call for people seeking primary care, many Australians are supplementing the expert advice of their GP with additional information sources. Key findings of the study include:
• Almost two thirds (62%) of respondents said they searched the internet to resolve a health query
• Almost one in five (19%) study magazines to research a health condition, while 17% use TV or radio
• Three in ten ask friends, while slightly more (32%) turn to family.
