Session 9

Question 1

Explain the options for accessing patients’ views on healthcare, including qualitative and quantitative approaches

Answer 1

Indirectly - patient complaints, Ombudsman reports

Directly - qualitative/quantitative methods

Question 2

Offer a critical perspective on the concept of ‘patient satisfaction’

Answer 2

Patient views not reasonable or rational

Dodgy professionals

Question 3

List some ways patients can give feedback

Answer 3

NHS friends and family test
Rating on NHS choices website
Other non NHS websites and forums

Question 4

Describe different sociological approaches to understanding the patient-professional relationship

Answer 4

1. Functionalism - consensus, reciprocity
2. Conflict theory - conflict
3. Interpretism/interactionism - meanings that people ascribe to social situations
4. Patient centred/partnership - partnership

Question 5

Distinguish between explanatory approaches and aspirational models of the patient-professional relationship

Answer 5

Explanatory approaches:
1. Functionalism - asymmetrical relationship, many taboos broken, sick person is helpless (sick role), doctor tends to sickness in society
2. Conflict theory - medical dominance –> suppressed conflict of patient
3. Interpretism/interactionism - patterns, how does order emerge through interaction?
Aspirational model:
4. Patient centred/partnership - less hierarchical, more cooperative, egalitarian relationship (patient and professional are equal), shared decision making

Question 6

Explain the term ‘complementary therapy’

Answer 6

Traditional medicine + alternative medicine used together

Question 7

List some examples of complementary therapy

Answer 7

Aromatherapy
Acupuncture
Reflexology
Hypnotherapy
Indian head massage

Question 8

Suggest reasons for the increased interest in complementary therapies

Answer 8

Persistent symptoms not relieved by conventional treatment
Real/perceived adverse effects - unpleasant side effects, drug reactions
Preference for a holistic approach to problem - treated as a whole person
Receive more time and attention - paid for

Question 9

Describe common concerns held by patients and HCPs about complementary therapies

Answer 9

Patients - safety and competence, guilt (time and money), denial, cost, social factors (afford therapy?)
HCPs - unqualified/unregulated practitioners, missed/delayed diagnosis, refuse conventional treatment, waste money on ineffective treatment, mechanism so implausible that is cannot work

Question 10

Describe what implications patients’ use of complementary therapies may have for medical practice

Answer 10

More fragmented care (more people involved)

Lack of communication - not in touch with primary/secondary care

Question 11

Explain NICEs perspective on complementary medicine and the challenges in conducting trials

Answer 11

NICE - recommended in a limited number of circumstances, evidence base must be transparent, accountable, meet same standards as traditional medicine
Challenges - resources (who will fund?), patients agreement to randomisation, finding placebo/shams is challenging, difficult to make double blinded

Question 12

Describe the policy background to the growth of interest in patients’ views of health services

Answer 12

NHS Plan (2000) - patient prospectus published, annual account of patients' views and actions taken 
NHS Act (2006) - involve and consult patients and public