Medical-Fitness Technician
Certification Course
Part E: Providing Med-Fit Services (LM:39-44)
Learning Module 43:
Follow-Up Consults
Study the Module and do the Lab.
Learning Objectives
  • Know the components of a Follow-Up Consult
  • Become familiar with the form for documenting a Follow-Up Consult
Follow-Up Consults are an optional Medical-Fitness Service for any client who has had a Medical-Fitness Assessment within the past 6 months. A Follow-Up Consult allows the client to meet individually with a Medical-Fitness Technician for 10-15 minutes in order to:
  • Review their recent Aerobic & Strength Training Logs (since their previous Assessment).
  • Discuss any issues related to their efforts in making a Therapeutic Lifestyle Change involving regular exercise.
  • Give specific instructions/suggestions based on the client's progress, circumstances, and fitness goals.
  • Answer any questions related to their Medical-Fitness Training Program.
  • Revise the client's Medical-Fitness Training Program if indicated.

Medical-Fitness Clinics are prepared to provide Follow-Up Consults for their current clients (had an Assessment within 6 months):
  • Clients may "drop-in" on any clinic day during regular clinic hours. Making an appointment is preferred, but not necessary.
  • If a client wants to meet with a particular Med-Fit Tech, scheduling a pre-paid appointment would be required.
  • The client needs to bring their Training Logs to the Clinic for their Follow-Up Consult.
  • Clients may pay the $10 Follow-Up Consult Fee either online or onsite by credit/debit card.
  • A 1-hour Training Session on the same day is included with their Follow-Up Consult.
  • If a client has not had a Med-Fit Assessment within 6 months, the client is not eligible for a Follow-Up Consult until a Follow-Up Assessment has been done.
The information below will help you prepare for your Field Practicum. You will have the opportunity to sit-in on a few Follow-Up Consults with your Med-Fit Tech Instructor. After each consult, you and your Instructor will discuss the case for a few minutes. When you are ready, you will have the opportunity to conduct a few Follow-Up Consults while the Instructor sits-in. (Note: Depending on the clinic's schedule, your training Follow-Up Consults may be mock sessions.)
Consult Check-In:
  • Print the form linked above to see how Follow-Up Consults are to be documented.
  • When the client checks-in for their Consult, the Clinic Manager will get the client's chart and will start filling-in a blank form.
  • The client's Name, today's Date, and the Time that the client checked-in will be filled-in.
  • M or F will be circled for the client's gender, and the client's Age and today's Weight on the Clinic's scale will be filled-in.
  • Between the parentheses will be the change in weight (+/-) since the client's Baseline Assessment.
  • The reason for the Consult as told to the Clinic Manager will be stated in the Why space.
  • The number of Weeks since the client's most recent Med-Fit Assessment will be filled-in. (This should be less than 26.)
  • The # in the parentheses is the number of Med-Fit Assessments that the client has had done at the Clinic.
  • The client's most recent set of Fitness Test Scores will also be filled-in.

Consult with the Medical-Fitness Technician:
  • Before you introduce yourself to the client quickly review the chart for completeness and legibility.
  • When you sit down with the client at a consultation desk, write-in the start-Time of the consult above the check-in time.
  • Review out loud with the client the information pre-filled on the form to verify.
  • Be sure to understand Why the client is there for the Follow-Up Consult. What do they "expect" and want to know?
  • Ask the client to see their Medical-Fitness Training Logs - "Let's take a look at your Training Logs."
  • Scan the Aerobic Training Log and silently grade it for Frequency, Duration, and Intensity based on their Exercise Rx.
  • A = Excellent, B = Good, C = Needs Improvement, D = Rx needs to be changed
  • Inquire where and when the client does their aerobic exercise.
  • Inquire how the client feels about walking/jogging.
  • Note any relevant information about the client's Aerobic Training experience.
  • Scan the Strength Training Log and silently grade it for Frequency, Duration, and Intensity based on their Exercise Rx.
  • A = Excellent, B = Good, C = Needs Improvement, D = rx needs to be changed
  • Inquire where and when the client does their calisthenic exercises.
  • Inquire how the client feels about each of the exercise movements.
  • Note any relevant information about the client's Strength Training experience.
  • Identify if the client's eating or sleeping patterns are helping or hindering their Fitness Training Program.
  • Refer the client to the OptiHealth Choices website or a TLC Coach to address other lifestyle recommendations.
  • Stay focused on helping your client develop a habit of regular, enjoyable exercise.
  • Inquire about any obstacles that are interfering with the client's efforts: spouse, kids, job, time, pain, etc.
  • Subjective: Brief summary of the client's point of view regarding their fitness program. Confirm your understanding.
  • Objective: Brief summary of your point of view regarding their fitness program. Confirm the client's understanding.
  • Assessment: State the situation as positively as possible in terms of progress, but identify any problem.
  • Plan: List at least 1, but not more than 3, important things that the client should and can do immediately to improve adherence.
  • -- Encourage additional Med-Fit Training Sessions at the clinic, if extra instruction or support is needed.
  • -- If the client's Plan includes modifying or learning a new exercise, arrange their free same-day Training Session.
  • Follow-Up: Identify the client's next step after implementing their revised Plan.
  • -- Consider another Follow-Up Consult in # weeks (2-8). The more support the client needs, the sooner the consult should be.
  • -- Determine the # of weeks until the client's next Follow-Up Assessment is scheduled. 
  • -- Consider a referral to an exercise support group, recreation club, Medical-Nutrition Technician, Therapeutic Lifestyle Coach.
  • Print your name at the bottom, Sign the form, and write-in the Time that the Consult was finished.

How-To Tips:
  • Be efficient and intentional, but do not rush your time with the client.
  • Spend at least 10-15 minutes with the client.
  • Speak clearly and look at your client.
  • Be genuinely concerned about the client.
  • Empathize with the client's frustrations. (Exercising does not come easy for most people.)
  • Let the client do most of the talking. (Having them explain things is often therapeutic for them.)
  • Listen attentively.
  • Ask questions to clarify important points.
  • Make sure they know you are listening and understand.
  • Do not lecture the client. They can access free fitness training information of their choice online for free.
  • Your first several Follow-Up Consults may take up to 20 or 30 minutes.
  • Your ability to collect and process the information will improve quickly with practice/experience.