Dr Amanda Illingworth1
1Hunter Street Medical, Ipswich, Australia
A particular aspect of General Practice which is not addressed in other specialties, is preventative health. As GPs we do this well in childhood and the reproductive years. But we drop the ball in preventing the diseases of aging.
3 years ago I established a Women’s Midlife and Menopause Clinic targeting women aged 45 to 70. The aim of the clinic is to complete a comprehensive health assessment and use this to inform a risk analysis around the common diseases of aging and the woman’s own particular health risks. I then provide the woman with a personalised Health Plan and educational materials to inform her choices with medical, pharmaceutical and lifestyle changes.
The ultimate aim is to provide women with the tools to make the necessary step to improve her wellbeing so that she can enter her elderly years in the best health possible.
This presentation documents my process and progress.
Biography:
I am Mandy, a GP “of a certain age” which allows me a particular insight to the challenges of navigating midlife. There are Important Issues to face. The last time I faced these was in adolescence. Who am I? What is my purpose? What’s happening to my body? What is my plan for life?
So far I have been a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife, a mother, a successful GP.
I have developed my own practice, taught medical students and Registrars, worked for the RACGP, UQ Medical school, Divisions of GP and PHN.
The future is exciting.