UK health department backs PAGB project to test self-care in one primary care trust
Government backing has been given to a Proprietary Association of Great Britain project to test the effectiveness of self-care.
Erewash Primary Care Trust will soon implement a three-part study designed
to show the benefits of a PCT-wide approach to self-care in the prevention
of coronary heart disease (CHD), the management of minor ailments and
managing asthma. News of the project was leaked at the AESGP meeting.
Mike Pringle, professor of general practice at the University of Nottingham,
said that the PCT is funding the scheme locally and the Department of
Health is to pay for the project evaluation. The scheme is currently
awaiting final ethics committee approval and a report of the outcome
of the project is expected by 2006.
The project will involve health information campaigns, with input from
pharmacists, doctors, nurses and other health professionals. Community
centres, GP surgeries, public houses, clubs, schools and playgroups will
be among the locations used to promote self-care in the three study areas.
Outcome measures will include determination of people’s understanding
of CHD risk factors and lifestyle changes, such as giving up smoking
or taking more exercise. Outcome measures for the minor ailments arm
of the study will include changes to GP consultations, antibiotic prescribing
and people’s self-care confidence levels. The asthma study will
look at the impact of lay-led expert sessions, treatment compliance and
health-seeking behaviour.
Professor Pringle said: “As a GP, I can see we must start to break
down the belief that doctors do things to patients and that outcomes
are the responsibility of health systems, doctors and nurses. Decision-making
should rest with the people who live with the results. We should be supportive
and available, but not take over.” |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Acrobat
Reader