By NOEL MURPHY
TORQUAY nurse Kim Poyner is a tough coach – tough but fair.
Her goals aren’t between the big sticks or into netS or through hoops.
They’re much more important.
She keeps people alive; people struggling with chronic disease, frustrated by enforced changes to their lives or battling to stay on the straight and narrow.
Last month she was one of six recipients of an Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association award, winning the category of best practice in chronic disease management.
With a background in intensive care, for the past six years she has worked at Surfcoast Medical Centre with patients suffering such problems as heart disease and diabetes.
“Consulting in the chronic disease clinic three days a week, I noticed a cohort of clients that were stuck and frustrated with their prescribed goals and health outcomes,” she said.
“Some were overwhelmed, didn’t know where to start and were potentially fearful of what perceived changes were necessary in their lifestyles.
“Another limiting factor was the three monthly reviews. Clients would say they were motivated for the first month and then lost their way by the time they came up for their next review.”
Ms Poyner responded with monthly wellness coaching, including motivational interviews and positive psychology to overcome ambivalence and resistance.
The results were telling, including weight loss, slimmer waists, greater motivation and self-belief, diabetes improvements, reduced drinking and smoking, and returns to physical activity.
Ms Poyner also connected clients to community groups, health and well-being programs, further education and counselling.
