Fri. Nov 15th, 2024

A new partnership will see advanced technology to improve people’s health care in Narrabri.

Rural Fit has been providing Exercise Physiology services across the New England region for the last 13 years. Now they’re preparing to take their services to the next level, with some very high-tech new equipment set to help bridge the gap between telehealth and face-to-face care.

“We’re really excited to be able to partner with the Primary Health Network (PHN) to try and increase the frequency of services available to be accessed to people in some of the more remote townships across the New England region,” Andrew Mahony, Exercise Physiologist and Managing Director of Rural Fit said.

The new combination of video, and sensor-based technology, will allow for movement and posture monitoring of patients to be assessed remotely as follow ups to initial face-to-face appointments.

“I really want to emphasise this is not at all coming from a desire to dehumanise the process in any way, it’s simply a matter of being able to keep people on more routine plans and achieve better outcomes in areas where seeing a practitioner 1-2 times a week simply isn’t possible,” said Mr Mahony.

The technology, traditionally used in training for high-performance athletes, will be adapted for use primarily in patients over age 60. This program will be rolled out in the coming months as a part of the PHN’s ‘Game Changer’ Grants.

“In adapting the technology, we’ll be looking at ways that we can use the sensors to focus on things like force, repetitions, posture, technique monitoring, adherence and, most importantly, progress reporting – being able to show people how far they’ve come is such a great motivator,” said Mr Mahony.

The autonomous satellite clinic will initially be trialed in Narrabri. After an initial face-to-face consultation, follow-up sessions will then be undertaken in the clinic using the sensor technology and monitored remotely by a practitioner.

“From there the focus will then be getting people to apply what they’re working on in the clinic to real world examples, simple everyday things that will be easier for them like carrying groceries, managing steps and improving their general mobility and wellbeing. Independence is really important for our aging population, particularly in remote communities.”

Rural Fit currently has clinics scattered throughout the New England region, with an Exercise Physiologist travelling between towns providing both face-to-face consultations, and group fitness classes.

“The group classes are a huge success,” said Mr Mahoney.

“No referral is required; you just need to have a one-on-one with the exercise physiologist first just to assess where you’re at and then anyone is welcome to join.”

“We’ve now got over 600 participants across the region and it’s about so much more than just physical activity, it’s also become about generating energy and a feeling of community and providing social interaction for people which is so important.”

Rural Fit work with a broad range of clients from pre-employment and corporate clients, culturally appropriate Aboriginal health services, aged-care, Veteran’s Affairs and athletes.

“When I came up with Rural Fit I didn’t just mean fit in the sense of being physically active, I also wanted it to mean fit in the context us fitting into the community,” said Mr Mahony.

“I have personal experience – my prior career was as a police officer in Armidale and I had a medical episode working on a crime scene. I know how hard it is and what an impediment it is to have to travel to the city for rehabilitation and it really inspired me to create Rural Fit.”

As well as working closely with the PHN, Rural Fit pride themselves on working very closely with local General Practitioners and Allied Health Professionals.

“We’re very proud to be partnering with the PHN and to be able tow assist doctors and other health professionals in the region,” said Mr Mahony.

“Prevention is so important and what we’re aiming to provide is lots of fantastic opportunities for people to be really proactive with their health.”

To find out more about Rural Fit and their services across the New England region, visit their website.


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