The 5A's: A Model for Assessment and Intervention in Integrated Healthcare

In this course, Dr. Rachel Allen, Psy.D., begins the in-depth explanation of the 5As model by sharing its history as an evidence-based means of implementing preventive health care which could be adapted to address various health behaviour changes in a structured, time-efficient manner in medical clinics practicing integrated health care. Defining integrated care as interdisciplinary collaborative care which emphasises accessible and deliverable behavioural health services within a medical care setting, Dr. Allen walks you through the five steps of the model, which “can be applied to any patient in any clinic with any problem”. It is intended to be used in most initial and most follow-up appointments when working in an integrated care setting. Because 5A appointments are short (not more than 30 minutes), she is specific about how long each of the structured five steps should take, and just what is accomplished in each. The resulting personalised action plan is focused on behaviour change and can be integrated into a patient’s overall health care plan.