FAQ

Watch this two-minute video for an overview of the program https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3YHxmoMPa0

What is a ‘Prescription To Get Active’?

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i.

Prescribers identify patients who they believe could benefit from being more physically active and safely begin unsupervised physical activity without medical clearance. The prescriber’s determination is based on the Canadian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines.

ii.

The prescriber will provide a written prescription as an introduction to the ‘Prescription To Get Active’ program. Instructions direct the patient to the resources available at www.prescriptiontogetactive.com that will help guide them to a more physically active lifestyle. The prescriber is not required to provide active lifestyle advice or required to program any fitness exercises.

Who can be a prescriber?

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i.

Medical doctors providing care to appropriate patients.

ii.

Nurse Practitioners with a primary care panel.

iii.

Allied health professionals with a dedicated practice relationship with either of the above-named professions. Examples included Registered Nurse, Registered Pharmacist, Mental Health practitioners etc.

What is a Dedicated Practice Relationship?

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i.

Shared care of the patient as illustrated by a shared medical record.

ii.

Shared care of the patient as illustrated by communication between the prescriber and the physician that supports continuity of care.

iii.

Physician program oversight and accountability for patient care provided by the allied health professionals.

Who may become a healthcare member?

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i.

Family Health Teams are encouraged to sign on as the Active Member so that all healthcare professionals within their association are automatically approved.

ii.

Family Health Organizations

iii.

Family Health Groups

iv.

Independent family physicians

What is involved in becoming a healthcare member?

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i.

Step one is to complete the simple healthcare member application.

ii.

Once the application has been approved, a membership agreement is sent out for review and signature.

iii.

Upon return of the signed membership agreement, the healthcare member is provided with the prescriber toolkit that includes: A short video on how to prescribe the specialized RxTGA Rx, process map, access to the RxTGA form on most EMRs, a PDF version of the prescription for tear away pads in the event that they do not want to utilize the EMR form, Marketing materials to post within their clinics.

iv.

Healthcare members begin a short onboarding process with support and instruction by Prescription to Get Active staff.

v.

Members are required to report to Prescription to Get Active, total prescriptions written on a quarterly basis.

Is there a cost, term or quota associated with being a healthcare member?

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i.

There is no quota, no fee, no term of commitment – just a willingness to participate and help your patients become healthier through an active lifestyle.

What does the patient do with the Prescription?

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i.

The patient should be instructed to visit the www.prescriptiontogetactive.com website to register and review how to start.

ii.

An automated email gets sent to the patient on what is available to them and some easy to access links to get started.

iii.

The patient has access to online resources that offer ideas, on-demand movement & exercise videos, suggestions and guides for getting active on their own, in their home or in the community.

iv.

The patient may also search the online database of participating recreation member facilities in their area, to find the best fit for their exercise/activity needs and take their prescription to the facility of their choice for the free trial offer. The recreation partner will register a patient as a participant when a free trial has been activated.

v.

RxTGA offers remote support for patients to build healthy habits through the GoGet.Fit app. This remote form of support puts an experienced professional in the participant’s corner to encourage and support them right from the start. This app provides unlimited free support to help patients establish healthier habits, get moving and stay active. Their scheduling and logging tool makes it easy to stick to the activities they have committed to. They will receive prompts and notifications of upcoming activities and reminders for activities they happen to miss in a positive and professional manner.

What happens when the patient registers their prescription and wants to take part in on-demand videos for exercise?

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i.

Upon registering, the patient is provided with a host of options from qualified on-line service providers for movement and exercise programming that they can access from anywhere that has an internet connection (computer, phone, smart TV).

ii.

Patients have a variety of choices in the types of exercise they would like to participate in (Yoga, strengthening, cardio., stretching etc.). Instruction ranges from 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes in length and patients can choose their appropriate level (beginner, intermediate and advanced). There are also specialty videos for seniors and those who have mobility issues.

iii.

In most instances, the patient will receive 1- month of free access to the video on demand series. There is no obligation to carry on with access after the trial period is over.

What happens when the patient takes their prescription in to a participating recreation member facility?

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i.

Upon arriving at their chosen recreation facility, the staff will meet with the patient to establish a comfortable, trust-filled relationship. Staff have been trained on how to work with these patients as they have very different needs than those of the person who makes a conscious choice to enter into an exercise program.

ii.

The patient will be assessed, asked what their goal is for the free trial period, establish an agreeable workout schedule, be given a tour of the area of the facility that best meets the needs of the patient.

How are recreation facilities and online movement & exercise activity partners selected?

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i.

Membership is open to all forms of exercise and recreation including, but not limited to, online movement & exercise instruction taught by qualified professionals, community recreation centres, YMCA’s, private gym/fitness clubs, yoga, and martial arts to allow for a variety of options for the patients.

ii.

All prospective activity members are required to complete the detailed online activity member application. The application includes variety of questions that will ensure they meet the standards of the Prescription To Get Active Program. Perspective activity members are required to disclose their goals and objectives, staff qualifications, and why they want to participate in the program.

iii.

All applications are approved by the national Board of Directors.

How do I know that my patient is receiving quality instruction?

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i.

All Prescription To Get Active recreation member facilities, on-line and community providers are vetted and approved by the national Board of Directors.

ii.

As part of the application, prospective activity members are required to provide a list of the certifications their staff hold to ensure they are sufficiently qualified.

iii.

On-line providers have been screened by board members who work in the industry and have some of the highest qualifications in the fitness and recreation field.

What if my patient has a pre-existing medical condition?

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i.

The Prescription to Get Active is intended for patients who are deconditioned, sedentary or at risk of developing a chronic condition and can safely begin exercising without clinical supervision. If your patient requires medical clearance and supervised activity, this program is not for that patient.

What happens at the end of the free trial?

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i.

Recreation/fitness facility:

At the end of the free trial, the recreation facility staff will evaluate the patient and encourage the patient to continue their activity. The patient may choose to become a member of that facility, or simply move on to try RxTGA’s online programming options or create an independent exercise routine that can be support by RxTGA’s resource library.

ii.

On-line programs:

At the end of the free trial, the patient can choose to participate in RxTGA’s menu of on-line movement and exercise programs, recreation and fitness facility trial, free resource library, free ongoing behavioural support or move to an independent exercise routine.

iii.

The patient is encouraged to check back with their prescriber after an appropriate period of time to share the results of the first physical activity initiative.

What happens to personal or facility information collected by RxTGA?

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i.

The information collected through online application and contact us forms at www.prescriptiontogetactive.com is used only by Prescription To Get Active staff for the purposes defined at the time of the collection or a use that complies with these purposes.

ii.

Prescription To Get Active will not, in any circumstances, share your information with other individuals or organizations without your permission, including public organizations, corporations or individuals, except when applicable by law. We do not sell, communicate or divulge your information to any mailing lists. The only exception is if the law or a court order compels us to. We will share your information with government agencies if they need or request it.