The “5As” model is a framework used in preventive care to guide clinicians in helping patients change unhealthy behaviors. It’s a systematic approach that has been applied to various health behaviors, including smoking cessation, alcohol consumption, diet, and physical activity.
The 5As stand for:
- Ask:
- Identify patients with risk factors
- Assess:
- Level of risk factors, its relevance to the individual and readiness to change.
- This enables advice to be tailored to stages of change.
- Advise:
- Advice should be matched to individuals’ stage of change and be provided in a non-coercive, non-judgmental manner that respects patient autonomy.
- Assist / Agree:
- Collaboratively develop an action plan which may include goals and methods of behaviour change.
- This may include specific strategies, for example,
- setting a quit date
- recommendation of NRT, varenicline or bupropion,
- self-monitoring techniques and/or
- problem solving.
- Arrange:
- Arrange follow upÂ
- Consider referral to special services, support or community groups.
The 5As model is effective because it is structured yet flexible enough to be adapted to different patients and settings. It emphasizes the importance of clinician-patient interactions in promoting healthy behaviors and provides a clear roadmap for these interactions.