http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097 Latest news from PiF en-gb 16 May 2012 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=5589 One in three people are now using social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter for health related issues according to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The study, which surveyed more than 1,000 consumers and 124 healthcare executives in the US, showed people are using social media to influence decisions to seek care and to find answers to their medical wants, needs and preferences. The Health Research Institute arm of PWC monitored social media traffic for a week, and found that patients are choosing to obtain medical information from community or patient sites rather than those set up by healthcare organisations. http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=5589 16/05/2012 08:42:06 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=5588 PiF has recently secured a grant from the Department of Health’s Innovation, Excellence and Strategic Development (IESD) fund which will see the development of a range of new resources, services and tools for PiF members and the wider consumer health information sector, aimed at improving the standard and reach of information for patients and the public. One of the key aims during year one of the project, which started in April 2012, is to create a ‘one stop shop’ for consumer health information by redesigning, expanding and updating the PiF web site. We are inviting companies to tender for work to the develop the new site. This includes design and architecture, development of the core website, membership and event management, e-commerce function, newsletter management, usability testing and ongoing maintenance. Submissions must be received by 1 June 2012. Click through to the website to download the tender. http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=5588 11/05/2012 14:03:26 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4631 Important Dates http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4631 11/05/2012 13:31:15 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4632 What's new http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=4632 11/05/2012 13:30:36 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=5587 The Richmond Group of Charities is a coalition of 10 of the leading health and social care organisations in the voluntary sector. The group is working together as a collective voice to better influence health and social care policy, with the aim of improving the care and support for the 17 million patients we collectively represent. They have identified some of the key issues that the health and social care system must embrace for all people who have a Long Term Condition in order to be sustainable and ensure quality and productivity truly work hand in hand. Their report From vision to action: Making patient-centred care a reality is intended to offer a clear strategic direction to achieve the transformational change that is so urgently needed. http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=5587 11/05/2012 13:29:23 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=5586 A new interactive online initiative is teaching web surfers to ‘choose well’ when it comes to medical help and advice. Visitors to the Welsh Ambulance Service and NHS Direct Wales websites can now take part in an interactive quiz based on the national Choose Well campaign structure. Evidence reveals that a significant number of people dial 999 for an ambulance or go to A&E departments despite there being other more suitable services available to help their needs. Choose Well centres on a colour coded thermometer to assist people in linking their symptoms or injury to the right service, which is right for their need. http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=5586 11/05/2012 13:15:03 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=5585 The Quality Institute for Self Management Education and Training (QISMET) have published their universal standard QIS2012 - The Standard for Health Management Programmes and Interventions It is a practical tool to enable providers of self management education and training services to benchmark themselves and be certificated against the QISMET standards,demonstrating they are providing a high quality service and seeking continual improvement. The quality standard covers all types of self management support, health management and behaviour change interventions. http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=5585 11/05/2012 12:55:01 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=5584 BCS Health Scotland are pleased to announce the NHS Scotland eHealth Awards 2012 are now open for nominations. The 2012 eHealth Awards provide and opportunity to show your colleagues and peers what work has been going on in your board. Winners receive prizes, but more importantly recognition among your profession for your achievements. The award categories for 2012 include Best NHS Scotland use of innovative IT for patient care - the award will go to the most innovative product in use within a clinical setting for direct patient care. http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=5584 11/05/2012 12:46:50 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=5583 Patients who were sexually active before suffering a heart attack were one and a half times more likely to recapture their sex lives if they received guidance on the topic before leaving the hospital, a new study in the American Journal of Cardiology finds.Sexual activity tends to decline slightly for both men and women during the year following a heart attack and researchers found that many patients who said they did not get medical advice and information prior to hospital discharge either unnecessarily delayed or refrained from sex. http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=5583 11/05/2012 11:27:11 http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=5582 A new campaign to raise awareness of the symptoms of lung cancer urges people to go and see their GP if they have had a cough for more than three weeks. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in England. The risk of lung cancer gets worse as you get older, but finding it early improves the chances of successful treatment. The campaign features new adverts – fronted by real-life GPs – in TV, radio, print and online media. The adverts urge anyone who has had a cough for three weeks or more to visit their doctor, or if they have some of the other symptoms of lung cancer. http://www.pifonline.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1097&newsitem=5582 11/05/2012 11:11:00