UK patients less involved in care decisions than patients overseas
UK patients are less involved in decisions about their treatment and are less likely to take part in a medicines review or to be given information about the side effects of their medicines than patients in other countries, according to new data.
In a study carried out by the Picker Institute, almost 7,000 patients
in the UK, Australia, Canada,Germany and the US were surveyed about how
much their health professionals support them to play an active role in
their health care.
When asked if their doctor involved them in treatment choices only 43
per cent of UK respondents said yes, compared to between 48 and 59 per
cent of patients in other countries. Only 66 per cent of UK respondents
said their doctor gave them a clear treatment plan, compared with 70–80
per cent of patients in other countries.
The results show that overall the UK results were less positive than
those from other countries for many of the six indicators used, which
included quality of doctor-patient communication, access to alternative
sources of information and advice, communication about risks and support
for self-care and self-management. The report says: “What is needed
is a major change in the way professionals work with patients in the
UK. In particular, doctors, nurses and other health professionals need
training in how to promote health literacy, support self-care and self-management,
and involve patients in treatment decisions.”
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Hospital Pharmacist