patient and public involvement in health care

Question 1

in what ways can a patient play a role in their own healthcare? (8)

Answer 1

• understand the causes of disease and the (risk) factors which influence health
• self-diagnosis and treating minor self-limiting conditions (instead of going into A+E…)
• selecting the most appropriate treatment for acute conditions, in partnership with health professionals
• managing treatments and taking meds properly
• monitoring own symptoms and checking effects of treatment
• being aware of safety issues and reporting them
• learning to manage the symptoms of chronic disease
• adopting a healthy behaviour to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of disease

Question 2

what is health literacy?

Answer 2

the ability to make good decisions about your health in everyday life - at home, work, in the community, in health care system etc.

Question 3

what are the three goals of self-care?

Answer 3

1. manage the illness medically
2. carry out normal roles and activities
3. manage the emotional effect of illness

helping body, mind and spirit

Question 4

who carries out self-management training?

Answer 4

well trained clinicians, nurses, pharmacists

Question 5

give examples of patient empowerment techniques for self-management training.

Answer 5

coaching, prompt cards, diaries or topic lists

Question 6

what do healthcare professionals need to do to build a relationship with their patients? (10)

Answer 6

• understand the patient perspective
• guide patients to sources of info on health and health care
• educate patients about protecting their health and preventing (re)occurrence of disease
• take into account patient preferences
• communicate info on risk and probability
• share treatment decisions with patient
• provide support for self-care and self-management
• work in multidisciplinary teams
• use new technology to engage patients in their health
• manage time effectively

Question 7

What is the Health and Social Care Act 2012?

Answer 7

states (in terms of patient) ‘no decision about me without me’

• applies to individual patient care
• applies to service development and change
• applies at local and national level
• helps to make patients’ voices heard