MECC Flashcards
What is the Making Every Contact Count initiative?
A short conversation that may put someone on the first step to better health and wellbeing - encouraging people to make healthier choices for better health
By: systematically promoting the benefits of healthy living, asking individuals about their lifestyle and responding appropriately, taking the appropriate action (give information/referral/signpost)
What lifestyle issues does MECC cover?
Healthy eating/maintaining a healthy weight
Taking regular physical activity
Stopping smoking
Drinking alcohol within recommended limits
Mental health and wellbeing
Sexual health
What’s the National MECC Advisory Group Definition
An approach to behaviour change that utilises the millions of day to day interactions to support people in making positive changes to their physical and mental health, enabling delivery of consistent and concise healthy lifestyle information
Organisations - provide staff with training to deliver MECC
Staff - have competence/confidence to deliver MECC and direct to support services
Individuals - seek support and take action to improve own lifestyle
What are the benefits of MECC?
Most serious illnesses are caused/perpetuated by unhealthy lifestyles
Adopting healthier lifestyles can have huge positive impact on peoples health
Delivering brief advice can be the trigger to change
Behavioural pattern contributed 40% to premature death
Evidence that unhealthy lifestyles spend longer living with ill health and die prematurely
NHS has duty of care to improve overall health
Ideal for most settings
Quick and cost effective
Skills needed are generic
Evidence based
Briefly, how can you incorporate MECC into a consultation
Ask -> Advice -> Act/Refer
Assess -> Advise -> Agree -> Assist -> Arrange/Refer
