 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE EXPERT PATIENT
|
 |
|
 |
MISSED A PROGRAMME?
Go to the Listen Again page |
|
|
|
|
Trisha MacNair investigates the new NHS Expert Patient Programme. |
|
|
|
|
Nearly a third of the UK population is living with a chronic medical condition. Until now the NHS has been responsible for their care. But a new concept is being launched by the government, known as the Expert Patient Initiative.
|
|
|
 |
|
| Patients on an Expert Patient Programme course |
Programme 1
 Full programme transcript >>
“This patient knows more about her disease than I do."
This was a consultant's statement to a group of medical students 30 years ago as they stood around the bed of a woman with diabetes.
Then, the comment was self-deprecating and tongue-in-cheek.
However, now the British government is intentionally creating a breed of expert patients.
One of the pioneers of expert patient programmes is Kate Lorig, Professor of Medicine at Stanford University, who used her own experiences as a sufferer of Gaucher’s disease to set up the Arthritis Self-Help Course in the US in the 1970s.
These self-help courses were introduced in the UK in 1994 by the charity Arthritis Care, and have since been expanded by the government.
Participants on the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Expert Patient programme have benefited from pooling their experiences to share health tips and information, and to set goals for each other.
Patients with diabetes, arthritis, Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis are involved in the scheme.
Liam Donaldson, the Chief Medical Officer, sees the expert patient programme as the centrepiece of the NHS approach to chronic disease management.
Pilot schemes for six-week expert patient courses were introduced by 100 primary care services in 2001. Trisha McNair asks how successful the programmes have been.
 Listen again to Programme 1 |
|
 |
|
| Archie Pitcher, Nicola Kingston, Lillian Balliston, Hossain Rezaeipoor, Rosinda Francisco, Karen Turner, Mr Papathanasiou, Mr Thomas, Desiree Mason, Mike Tangney, Vibert Duke, James Locke, Oyon Haman |
Programme 2
Full programme transcript >>
The expert patient scheme wants us all to be decision-makers in our own treatments. But how practical is this?
Following the participants on their courses we examine if they were really able to manage their GPs as well as their conditions.
The relationship between patient and doctor is at the heart of the programme.
Can it ever be that the patient tells the doctor what they want?
A survey reported that only 21% of doctors were in favour of the expert patient initiative, with over half of GPs predicting that it would mean more work for them, without improving relationships with their patients.
However, the data shows that better-informed patients actually visit the doctor less frequently.
Trisha spoke to participants in the expert patient course and asked them if they’ve achieved their aims.
And she asks if the scheme is a cynical attempt to shift responsibility, save money and downgrade the NHS or an honest attempt to help us all deal with illness in a better informed and confident way.
Listen again to Programme 2 |
|
|
RELATED LINKS |
|
|
Expert Patient Programme
Arthritis Care
National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society
Kate Lorig
Stanford Self-Management Programs
Gaucher disease
Diabetes UK
Parkinson's Disease Society
Pain Concern
British Heart Foundation
Heart UK
BBC Health
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
