About your appointment

Preparing for your appointment

The STARS Dietitian First Gastroenterology Clinic is a statewide virtual care model which provides patients timely access to care closer to home. The service uses secure videoconference technology, enabling patients to see, hear and speak to the Dietitian via telehealth, without having to travel into the hospital, saving time and money.

Here are some tips to help you prepare for your appointment.

Test your telehealth link prior to your appointment using a device with a camera.
Find a private, comfortable and quiet place that allows easy conversation. You might want to discuss important or personal issues.
Your Dietitian may ask questions about your medical history, medications, symptoms, usual food and drinks, and your goals. If you prefer, you could gather some of this information ahead of time and have items such as medications, pathology results, pen and paper close by.
Connect to Wifi if available, and charge your device or connect to power, to have the best connection possible and avoid frustrating drop-outs.
Connect a few minutes before your appointment to be greeted by our telehealth team. They can then connect you with a Dietitian once they become available.

Please visit the Queensland Health Telehealth website for more information on telehealth.

Food and symptom diary resources

It may be helpful to keep a food and symptom diary before your appointment. During your appointment the dietitian will ask you to provide a diet history. Some people find that keeping a food and symptom diary can help you remember what foods and drinks you have consumed and the amount.

A diary can assist in identifying foods or diet patterns that may be triggering your gut symptoms. Noting in your diary changes in your mood, stress or anxiety levels may also help, as these factors can play a role in gut disorders, particularly Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Below are some easy to use, free resources that can help you start a food and symptom diary:

What do to after discharge

After you have been discharged from the STARS Dietitian First Gastroenterology Clinic, the Dietitian will send a letter to your GP outlining your assessment and interventions. Your GP should be your first point of contact if you are experiencing any new or increasing gut symptoms.

Questions about your appointment

After being seen by the Dietitian, my symptoms improved and I was discharged from the clinic. What do I do if I have gastrointestinal symptoms again in the future?

Your Dietitian would have provided diet and lifestyle strategies of the course of your appointment to assist you in managing your gastrointestinal symptoms. It can be normal to experience fluctuating gut symptoms with IBS, particularly with changes in diet and lifestyle or with increased stress and anxiety. If you find that your symptoms are getting worse or new symptoms develop, we recommend you discuss this with your GP.

How do I complete my pathology requests?

Your referring GP usually completes some screening tests during their assessment, however as part of this service the Dietitian may request you complete additional pathology (e.g. blood or stool tests). The Dietitian will post your pathology forms and instructions on where to complete this (free of charge). This means you do not have to attend STARS in person, but you will need to attend your nearest QLD Health Hospital to complete the additional pathology if it’s deemed necessary.

Do I need to download any programs or apps to access the telehealth service?

You do not need to download any programs or apps on your device to access telehealth services. A link to the telehealth site will which be sent via text message prior to your first appointment. You can access telehealth by clicking on the link on any device with a camera. This includes a phone (apple or android), tablet or computer.

You can access more information about telehealth by visiting the Queensland Health Telehealth website.

The Telehealth Service Desk is available from 7:45am-5:00pm – Monday to Friday, to support patients having technical issues. They can be reached on 1800 066 888.

Where can I find nutrition information for my gut issues?

Your dietitian will send you resources after your first appointment. A number of Dietitian reviewed free resources are available via the following links: