When someone has an illness and health issues, a new lifestyle and new eating habits can disrupt the body. And the diet has to meet specific requirements for medical reasons.
Healthcare is also regulated to protect the patient and provide a useful (multidisciplinary) treatment plan for healthcare.
Diagnosis of Health Condition
The diagnosis determines which type of care a patient needs
It is essential to decide the type of support that a patient needs in making informed decisions about food and lifestyle choices.
Is it going to be general support for healthy eating? Or should this support be tailored to the specific nutritional needs due to illness? Is it appropriate to treat medical conditions or mental illness?
The diagnosis determines where one should seek help
Diagnosis or health condition also determines the type of location for a treatment procedure or intervention. It determines, for instance, whether you need to go to your doctor or the hospital.
Where to start
1) Consult your primary care doctor first
Primary care doctors can help you. They are also your first point of contact for healthcare and can refer you to other professionals.
The nature and severity of your problems will determine whom you will be referred to by your doctor.
2) Check your Health insurance policy
Healthcare professionals and health insurance companies coordinate healthcare. Check which agreements were made. These are stated in your health insurance policy.
Where can I find appropriate nutritional counselling for:
- Eating disorders
- Insulin-dependent diabetes (having to inject insulin more than twice a day)
- Renal disease (kidney problems)
- Heart failure
- Mental health conditions
> Eating disorders
“Eating disorder treatment depends on your particular disorder and your symptoms.”
Nutrition therapy
Your doctor will probably refer you to a dietitian who specialises in treating eating disorders (www.dietisten-eetstoornissen.nl).
Psychotherapy
Before or during a nutritional intervention, a referral may also be made for psychotherapy to mental health organisations such as PsyQ/PsyQ International.
Nutrition Counselling
For nutritional guidance with psychological input and practical adjustments to your eating pattern, you could also contact Human Concern Foundation – Center for Eating Disorders.
Relapse prevention
Are you seeking aftercare or relapse prevention? Then help is offered by, among others: Human Concern, PsyQ/PsyQ International en Stichting JIJ
Self-management
If you prefer self-management or nutritional guidance from a weight management consultant, request medical approval from a doctor before starting.
Further information
See https://www.thuisarts.nl/eetprobleem (Dutch) for further information.
> Insulin-dependent diabetes (having to inject insulin more than twice a day)
The doctor and practice nurse can help you, for instance, during a diabetes consultation appointment.
Nutrition therapy
The doctor may also refer you to professionals if the appropriate diet for you meets specific requirements for medical reasons. Adaptations to your medication, for example.
> Renal disease (kidney problems)
The doctor can help you with nutritional advice, regular kidney function monitoring, and related health issues such as diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure).
Nutrition therapy
Suppose your diet has to meet specific requirements for medical reasons. In that case, the doctor may also refer you to specialists and dietitians specialising in kidney disease.
> Heart failure
The doctor can help you with nutritional advice, regular monitoring of your weight and related health problems such as water retention.
Nutrition therapy
The doctor may also refer you to specialists and dieticians specialised in heart failure if your diet has to meet specific requirements for medical reasons.
> Mental Health conditions
The doctor can help you with nutritional advice and regular monitoring of your weight. As weight issues can be related to the prescribed medication for mental health issues.
Psychological treatment via the GP
If you think you need psychological care, it is also advisable to contact your doctor.
The general practitioner can determine whether and which psychological care you need and will ensure the correct referral.
Nutrition therapy
The doctor may also refer you to specialists and dieticians specialising in diets to meet specific medical reasons. Such as matching the needs when medication is used to treat mental illness.
