New Online Tool to Support Patients with Fatigue

By Petrina Smith
Wednesday, 11 February, 2015

NPS MedicineWise has produced a new online tool to support health professionals dealing with patients with fatigue.
The ‘fatigue information prescription’ online resource, which is part of the NPS MedicineWise Back to basics for fatigue: a diagnostic approach program, helps health professionals facilitate discussion with patients on the many causes of fatigue and and address their lifestyle factors.
NPS MedicineWise Clinical Adviser Dr Andrew Boyden says, “The new information prescription tool provides patients with clear explanations about the association between fatigue and lifestyle, psychosocial and physical causes, or a combination of these. The tool also supports conversations about the appropriateness of diagnostic testing for fatigue.”
An example of using the tool in a consultation is a patient presenting with fatigue who, after questioning, reveals to their GP that they regularly drink caffeinated drinks late at night. An information prescription for this patient can be provided—with points about the effect of caffeine on sleep, and an action plan on how to reduce caffeine intake and improve sleep hygiene.
The tool provides patient information and management tips, such as a healthy diet, drinking less alcohol and caffeine, sleep hygiene and looking after emotional and mental health. It complements the suite of NPS MedicineWise health professional products for fatigue: