Table 1 Definitions of the care elements in the ‘5As’ approach to preventive care provision [20, 51]
Care element | Definition |
|---|---|
Ask | Asking clients about their current behaviour levels |
Assess | Assessing readiness to change risk behaviours, and/or dependence (for tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption) |
Advise | Advice to change behaviours or education around what constitutes risk, the individual’s level of risk, and/or guidelines for behaviours |
Assist | Discussion of the benefits and barriers to change, providing counselling to change behaviours (such as motivational interviewing), and/or providing additional supports including pharmacotherapy, educational materials or self-help materials |
Arrange | Referring the client to any health care provider or support service to support behaviour change (such as a telephone coaching service, dietician or support group). |