December

New stroke and TIA guidance for patients

19 December 2008
News & Events > Sourcing health information

New guidelines for patients on stroke and TIA from the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network(SIGN) have been published this week. The guideline emphasises the importance of getting patients to specialist stroke services quickly to allow prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Medicines information for consumers

19 December 2008
News & Events > Medicines information

The European Commission has voted to adopt a pharmaceutical package which includes allowing pharmaceutical companies to provide more information on prescription drugs direct to the public. In the US where where direct to consumer advertising is allowed, changes have been made to tighten legislation.

Editorial Piece: Make tough patient choices a bit easier

19 December 2008
News & Events

This editorial piece in the Health Service Journal last week discusses health choices and what can be done to help patients make what can often be very difficult choices. The author discusses the role of high quality, relevant information and providing patients with the support and skills they need to make decisions.

Public confused by health messages

19 December 2008
News & Events

The results of the 2007 Health Survey for England were published this week. The 2007 survey looked specifically at the general public's knowledge and attitudes about key aspects of lifestyle. The results show that many are confused by what might be considered to be straightforward and well known health messages.

Social Marketing News

19 December 2008
News & Events > Producing and disseminating health information

Three items of news from the National Social Marketing Centre. A collection of short interviews with some of the leading thinkers in the world of social marketing; a report from the Department of Epidemiology at University College London discussing equality; and a request from the Social Marketing Centre for associates with skills in project management, research and training.

Some word facts

19 December 2008
News & Events > PiF membership news

On a lighter note again, here are some interesting literary facts to entertain you as you wind down from the Christmas and New Year Period.

Festive Fun!

19 December 2008
News & Events > PiF membership news

If you need a bit of Christmas Cheer have a look at this great piece of literary misinterpretation courtesy of Qantas airline pilots and their very amusing mechanics.

National Prescribing Centre Resources

19 December 2008
News & Events > Patient and public involvement

NPCi, the National Prescribing Centre's web site has added new training resources on patient and public involvement, including case studies, a library of resources and learning objectives.

Center for Information Therapy

12 December 2008
News & Events > PiF membership news

PiF is delighted to announce that we have exchanged reciprocal membership with a US organisation called the Center for Information Therapy (Ix Center). The Center is an independent not for profit organisation that aims to advance the practice and science of information therapy to improve health, consumer decision making and healthy behaviours. The Center has many areas of work in common with PiF and we hope to be able to build a productive and beneficial relationship.

Prostate Cancer Voices

12 December 2008
News & Events > Patient and public involvement

The Prostate Cancer Charity has recently launched Prostate Cancer Voices a network of people affected by prostate cancer. The Charity uses their knowledge and experiences to influence the development of our support services. Their first large scale survey is around hormone therapy-inviting men and their partners receiving hormone therapy to respond and share their views on this form of treatment. The results of the surveys will inform a new area of policy work.

The spread of happiness

12 December 2008
News & Events

An article in the BMJ this week reports on the spread of happiness through social networks - the concept being that behaviours may spread over time from one person to another through their social contacts. The study carried out in Framingham in the US shows that people who are surrounded by many happy people and those who are central in the network are more likely to become happy in the future. Happiness is related to many aspects of wellbeing, including health.

National Campaign on stroke awareness scheduled for early 2009

12 December 2008
News & Events > Sourcing health information

February next year will see the start of a new campaign on stroke to raise public awareness of the need to recognise the signs of a stroke and to act quickly. The campaign will use the acronym FAST which stands for Facial weakness, Arm weakness, Speech problems and Time to call 999. Pre-campaign posters and leaflets are now available.

The Pharmaceutical Industry: A global survey of patient groups

12 December 2008
News & Events > Medicines information

The November issue of Health and Social Campaigners News International reports on the results of an survey of patient groups from around the world, about their views on the pharmaceutical industry. The results make interesting reading.

Kicking Bad Habits: final report from the Kings Fund

12 December 2008
News & Events > Policy matters

The results of a year-long investigation into the effectiveness of different types of public health programmes to tackle smoking, alcohol misuse, poor diet and lack of exercise was published this week by The King's Fund.The report finds that these behaviours are deep-rooted social habits that are not easily changed by one-off, short-lived measures. The report also adds that many NHS staff lack the necessary skills and incentives to effectively help people choose and maintain healthier lifestyles.

PiF member offer: Discount on Effective Writing Book

12 December 2008
News & Events > PiF membership news

PiF Members can receive a 20% discount on "Write Effectively: a quick course for busy health workers", written by Tim Albert and published by Radcliffe. The book is aimed at health professionals who want to develop their writing skills. Offer closes April 2009.

LTCA becomes National Voices

12 December 2008
News & Events

The Long Term Conditions Alliance had transformed into a new organisation called National Voices. The aim of the organisation is to give national voluntary organisations, that represent health and social care, a stronger voice in policy making. They are currently running a consultation on prescription charges and are looking for your views.

Online Chlamydia tests and Change4Life videos on YouTube

12 December 2008
News & Events > Sourcing health information

Two new resources this week that branch out from the traditional paper-based format. Sexual health charity Brook is supporting a new online chlamydia test targeted at young people which is popular because it avoids the need to go to a pharmacy or GP surgery. Results are given by text, email or via a secure web site. The Department of Health has also chosen an alternative format posting three short films on YouTube about the new Change4life initiative that is encouraging people of all ages to lead healthier lifestyles.

COPD Communication Programme

04 December 2008
News & Events > Education and training

The British Thoracic Society and General Practice Airways Group, have produced Living and Dying with COPD - an educational programme consisting of a DVD and a CD of PowerPoint slides. The programme aims to improve communication and information between the patient and his or her health professional particularly at diagnosis and at end of life.

Response to PiF Queries now available

04 December 2008
News & Events > PiF membership news

Details of many of the queries sent out this year, together with the responses received from other members, are now available to see on the PiF website.

BMA Patient Information Awards

04 December 2008
News & Events > Evaluating the quality of health information

Belatedly we are reporting the winners of this years BMA Patient Information awards (apologies for the delay!). The overall winner was Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust for their Patient Information Diary - congratulations to them.

Cyberchondria

04 December 2008
News & Events > Using electronic media

Several different news media covered a story from Microsoft research this week. Microsoft have released the findings of a large scale study into internet searches for medical information and how these can lead to what they term as 'cyberchondria' - the escalation of concerns about common symptoms.

Patients top priority is being told what their medicine is for

04 December 2008
News & Events > Medicines information

The Scottish Government has undertaken research to support the development of the General Practice in Scotland and the results were published this week. The survey asked patients to comment on a range of issues including access to the GP, medicines, appointments and talking to health professionals.A range of issues were considered important when being prescribed medicines, particularly around being told: about side effects; how and when to take medication; and what the medicines are for, but of least importance was being given written information about medicines.

Health Rights Information Scotland launches new complaints information

04 December 2008
News & Events > Sourcing health information

Health Rights Information Scotland (HRIS) is launching the third in a series of leaflets aimed at young people. The leaflet is called 'Have your Say' and it contains information about how to give feedback to, and make a complaint about, the NHS. There is also a new complaints poster available.

National patient choice survey latest results

04 December 2008
News & Events > Policy matters

The Department of Health has released the latest statistics from the Report on the National Patient Choice Survey, July 2008, England, and provisional headline results of the September 2008 survey. The results include data on choice of hospital, waiting times and cleanliness.

New leaflets from the Royal College of Psychiatrists