Mention allied health, and many people immediately think of physiotherapy after a sports injury or rehabilitation following surgery.
But that is only one part of the picture.
An allied health service can be involved in prevention, chronic condition management, mobility, nutrition, mental health, communication, independence, and many other aspects of healthcare.
The Australian Government describes allied health professionals as university-qualified practitioners who use evidence-based approaches to help prevent, diagnose and treat a range of conditions and illnesses.
For patients in Botanic Ridge and surrounding areas, understanding what allied health professionals do can make it easier to know when their expertise may be useful.
What Is Allied Health?
Allied health is a broad term covering many healthcare professions outside of medicine, dentistry and nursing.
Healthdirect explains that allied health professionals can help diagnose health conditions, provide treatment, prevent illness and support recovery following illness or injury.
Depending on your healthcare needs, allied health professionals may include:
- Physiotherapists
- Podiatrists
- Dietitians
- Exercise physiologists
- Occupational therapists
- Psychologists
- Speech pathologists
- Audiologists
- Social workers
- Diabetes educators
Different practitioners have different scopes of practice, qualifications, and areas of expertise.
An allied health practice may provide one discipline or bring several types of healthcare professionals together.
Myth: Allied Health Is Only for Injuries
Injury rehabilitation is certainly an important part of allied healthcare.
A physiotherapist, for example, may assist with rehabilitation following a musculoskeletal injury. A podiatrist may assess foot or lower-limb pain.
But allied health extends well beyond treating injuries.
It may also form part of healthcare for:
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Arthritis
- Chronic respiratory conditions
- Persistent pain
- Neurological conditions
- Mental health concerns
- Nutrition-related health issues
- Hearing difficulties
- Communication difficulties
- Age-related changes
- Reduced mobility or independence
Healthdirect notes that people living with chronic conditions may benefit from having a team of health professionals involved in their care, including relevant allied health professionals.
1- Allied Health Can Support Chronic Condition Management
A chronic condition is generally a health condition that lasts for a prolonged period and requires ongoing management.
Examples can include:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Chronic respiratory conditions
- Arthritis
- Chronic kidney disease
- Persistent musculoskeletal conditions
- Some mental health conditions
Managing these conditions may require more than medication or occasional medical appointments.
Different health professionals can contribute to different areas of expertise.
For example:
Dietitian
A dietitian can provide evidence-based nutrition advice tailored to a person’s medical and nutritional needs.
This may be relevant to conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or other health concerns that were nutrition forms part of management.
Exercise Physiologist
An exercise physiologist can use appropriately prescribed exercise to support people managing a range of health conditions.
The type and intensity of exercise should be tailored to the individual’s health, physical capacity, and goals.
Podiatrist
A podiatrist can assess and manage problems affecting the feet, ankles, and lower limbs.
Podiatry may be particularly important for some people with diabetes because the condition can affect circulation and sensation in the feet.
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists can assist with problems involving pain, movement, strength, and physical function.
Their role can include rehabilitation, but it can also involve longer-term management of persistent or chronic conditions.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists help people participate in everyday activities and maintain or improve independence.
This can be relevant for people living with disabilities, chronic conditions, neurological conditions, or age-related changes.
Healthdirect identifies each of these professions as potentially contributing to chronic condition management.
2- Allied Health Can Play a Role in Prevention
You don’t necessarily need to wait until a significant problem develops before seeking appropriate healthcare advice.
The Australian Government specifically recognises prevention as part of allied healthcare.
Depending on the profession and your individual circumstances, preventive allied health support might include:
- Advice about maintaining mobility
- Exercise guidance
- Nutrition education
- Falls prevention
- Foot-care education
- Identifying environmental barriers to independence
- Strategies to reduce the risk of recurring injuries
- Education about managing existing health risks
Prevention does not mean that allied health services can guarantee that a condition or injury will never occur.
Rather, appropriately selected interventions may help address modifiable risk factors and support healthier behaviours or physical function.
3- Allied Health Can Help You Stay Active
Being able to move comfortably and safely can affect many aspects of everyday life.
Pain, weakness, balance problems and reduced mobility can make it harder to:
- Exercise
- Work
- Walk comfortably
- Participate in hobbies
- Complete household activities
- Maintain independence
Physiotherapists, podiatrists, exercise physiologists, and occupational therapists can each contribute to mobility and function in different ways.
For example, one person may need help managing persistent foot pain, while another may need an exercise program adapted to a chronic condition.
The right type of practitioner depends on what is contributing to the problem.
4- Allied Health Isn’t Only About Physical Health
Another common misconception is that allied health only deals with physical conditions.
Mental, emotional, behavioural and social health can also fall within allied healthcare.
Depending on the person’s needs, relevant professionals may include:
- Psychologists
- Social workers
- Occupational therapists
- Speech pathologists
- Other appropriately qualified practitioners
Healthdirect notes that psychologists can help people manage chronic mental health conditions as well as the psychological challenges associated with chronic illness. Social workers may provide counselling and information about government and community services.
This reflects an important part of modern healthcare: physical and mental health often influence one another.
5- Allied Health Can Support Healthy Ageing and Independence
Getting older does not automatically mean giving up the activities you enjoy.
However, ageing can sometimes bring changes in:
- Strength
- Balance
- Mobility
- Hearing
- Vision
- Nutrition
- Foot health
- Ability to perform everyday activities
Different allied health professionals may help address these concerns.
For example, an occupational therapist may assess ways to make daily activities safer or easier. A physiotherapist or exercise physiologist may help with movement and physical capacity. A dietitian may address nutrition concerns, while an audiologist can assess hearing.
The aim and expected outcomes will depend on the person’s individual health and circumstances.
6- Allied Health Can Support People Living with Disability
Allied health professionals also work with people living with disabilities.
Support may focus on areas such as:
- Communication
- Mobility
- Everyday activities
- Independence
- Nutrition
- Mental health
- Social participation
- Functional capacity
The Australian Government notes that allied health professionals work across settings including hospitals, private practices, community care, schools, disability services and residential aged care.
The type of support required depends on the person’s individual needs and goals.
7- Allied Health Professionals Often Work as Part of a Healthcare Team
Healthcare does not always fit neatly into a single profession.
Someone living with a chronic condition may have a GP overseeing their general medical care while also seeing several other healthcare professionals.
For example, a person with diabetes might receive care from:
- Their GP
- A diabetes educator
- A dietitian
- A podiatrist
- An exercise physiologist
- Other specialists when required
This multidisciplinary approach allows different professionals to contribute expertise within their respective scopes of practice.
Healthdirect notes that people with chronic conditions will often benefit from having a team of health professionals involved in their care.
Good, allied management should therefore focus on coordinated, individualised care rather than treating each health concern in isolation.
Can Allied Health Help with Chronic Disease Management?
Yes, allied health professionals can form part of chronic condition management when their services are relevant to a person’s healthcare needs.
For eligible patients, Medicare-supported allied health services may also be available under Australia’s chronic condition management arrangements.
Current Medicare Benefits Schedule requirements provide access to certain individual allied health services for eligible patients with a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, when the allied health service is recommended as part of that plan and the relevant requirements are met.
Eligible disciplines include services such as:
- Physiotherapy
- Podiatry
- Dietetics
- Exercise physiology
- Occupational therapy
- Diabetes education
- Audiology
- Psychology
- Other eligible allied health services
The current MBS framework allows a maximum of five eligible individual allied health services in total per calendar year under these chronic condition management arrangements.
Eligibility and referral requirements apply, so patients should discuss their circumstances with their GP.
Does Medicare Cover Allied Health Services?
Sometimes.
Medicare does not automatically cover every allied health appointment.
The Australian Government notes that allied health services are funded in different ways. Many services involve a private fee, while some patients may qualify for Medicare rebates or other subsidised programs.
For chronic condition management, eligible patients require an appropriate GP Chronic Condition Management Plan and referral for Medicare-supported allied health services.
A Medicare rebate also does not necessarily mean the service will be free or bulk billed. Providers can set up their own fees, so patients should ask about potential out-of-pocket costs before booking.
Do You Need a GP Referral to See an Allied Health Professional?
Not always.
The Australian Government notes that many allied health professionals can be seen without a doctor’s referral, including through private primary care services.
However, a referral may be required if you want to access certain Medicare-funded services or another funding program.
Starting with your GP can be helpful if:
- You’re unsure which allied health professional you need
- You have several health concerns
- You have a chronic condition
- Your symptoms require medical assessment
- You want to understand whether Medicare-supported allied health care may be available
- Coordination between several healthcare professionals may be useful
Your GP can assess your circumstances and discuss which type of allied health service may be appropriate.
When Might You Consider Allied Health Support?
You might benefit from discussing allied health care with your GP if you are experiencing:
- Persistent pain or reduced mobility
- Difficulty managing a chronic health condition
- Foot or lower-limb problems
- Nutrition concerns
- Difficulty returning to activity
- Balance problems
- Reduced independence with everyday tasks
- Mental health concerns
- Hearing difficulties
- Communication difficulties
- Challenges associated with ageing or disability
You do not necessarily need to wait until these problems become severe.
Early assessment may help clarify what is contributing to your symptoms and which healthcare professional is best placed to assist.
What Should You Expect at an Allied Health Appointment?
Appointments differ significantly between professions.
Generally, your practitioner may ask about:
- Your current concerns
- Medical history
- Symptoms
- Medicines
- Lifestyle
- Work or daily activities
- Previous treatments
- Your goals
They may then perform assessments relevant to their professional scope.
After assessment, they can discuss their findings and possible management options with you.
Depending on your needs, management may involve education, exercises, lifestyle strategies, therapy, assistive equipment or referral to another healthcare professional.
FAQs
What does an allied health service do?
Allied health professionals provide a wide range of healthcare services. Depending on their profession, they may help prevent, assess, diagnose or manage health conditions and support recovery, function, and independence.
Is physiotherapy the same as allied health?
Physiotherapy is one allied health profession, but allied health includes many others, such as podiatry, dietetics, occupational therapy, exercise physiology, psychology, speech pathology and audiology.
Is allied health only for people with chronic conditions?
No. Allied health professionals work with people across different ages and health circumstances. Services may relate to prevention, acute injuries, rehabilitation, chronic conditions, disability, mental health, or maintaining independence.
Can allied health help prevent health problems?
Some allied health interventions can support prevention by addressing relevant risk factors, physical function, nutrition, exercise, and other areas of health. What is appropriate depends on the person’s individual circumstances.
Can my GP refer me to allied health?
Yes. A GP may refer you to an appropriate allied health professional when clinically indicated. A GP referral is also required for certain Medicare-supported allied health services, including those accessed through chronic condition management arrangements.
Are allied health appointments bulk billed?
Not necessarily. Some allied health services may attract a Medicare rebate when eligibility requirements are met, but this does not guarantee bulk billing. Ask the provider about fees and possible out-of-pocket costs before your appointment.
The Bottom Line
Allied health services are about much more than recovering from an injury.
Depending on your needs, allied health professionals can contribute to preventive healthcare, chronic condition management, mobility, nutrition, mental health, disability support, and maintaining independence.
They can also work alongside your GP and other healthcare professionals as part of a coordinated approach to managing your health.
If you’re unsure whether allied health support could be appropriate for you, a GP at Botanic Ridge Doctors can assess your individual health needs and discuss whether referral to an appropriate allied health professional may be helpful.
References
- Australian Government Department of Health – About Allied Health Care
- Healthdirect Australia – Allied Health
- Healthdirect Australia – Management of Chronic Conditions
- Medicare Benefits Schedule – Allied Health Services for Chronic Conditions
- Medicare Benefits Schedule – Allied Health Chronic Condition Management Overview
- Medicare Benefits Schedule – Individual Chronic Condition Management Services