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The patient information revolution
Journal of Orthopaedic Nursing (2004) 8, 191
Journal of Orthopaedic Nursing
www.elsevierhealth.com/journals/joon
EDITORIAL
The patient information revolution Increasingly nurses are realising that people want to participate in their own health choices and that different people have different information needs. In the UK, as in other countries, the recent ÔBuilding on the BestÕ survey summarised the views of 110,000 patients, members of the public, health care staff and voluntary groups as: to be more involved in decisions about their health; to have more and better information to help them make decisions and choices about their treatment; to have services shaped around their needs instead of being expected to fit the system. Traditionally dull and boring leaflets have been used to disseminate health care information but increasingly web-sites, digital TV and magazine style information booklets are being developed. The approach is a major shift in thinking through passing power and responsibility to put patients in control. The cultural change makes services more responsive to peopleÕs needs and treats
1361-3111/$ - see front matter c 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd. doi:10.1016/j.joon.2004.09.007
them as individuals rather than a collection of symptoms. Examples of this seed change are evident in orthopaedics. Canada, the UK and the USA are collaborating on a programme for school age children to educate them on the problems of osteoporosis in later life and how they can protect themselves through life-style changes in early life. The literature review in this issue of the Journal contains and article by Von Arx et al. on the safety and legality of driving whilst wearing a plaster cast. The conclusion is that health care professionals should provide information but not advise on whether to drive or not as it is up to the individual patient to make this decision. This is a subtle but significant change in approach and responsibility based on empowering the patient through increasing their knowledge by giving good quality information.
Peter Davis, MBE 83 Fosse Road, Farndon, Newark, Notts NG24 3TL, UK E-mail address: [email protected]
Journal of Orthopaedic Nursing
www.elsevierhealth.com/journals/joon
EDITORIAL
The patient information revolution Increasingly nurses are realising that people want to participate in their own health choices and that different people have different information needs. In the UK, as in other countries, the recent ÔBuilding on the BestÕ survey summarised the views of 110,000 patients, members of the public, health care staff and voluntary groups as: to be more involved in decisions about their health; to have more and better information to help them make decisions and choices about their treatment; to have services shaped around their needs instead of being expected to fit the system. Traditionally dull and boring leaflets have been used to disseminate health care information but increasingly web-sites, digital TV and magazine style information booklets are being developed. The approach is a major shift in thinking through passing power and responsibility to put patients in control. The cultural change makes services more responsive to peopleÕs needs and treats
1361-3111/$ - see front matter c 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd. doi:10.1016/j.joon.2004.09.007
them as individuals rather than a collection of symptoms. Examples of this seed change are evident in orthopaedics. Canada, the UK and the USA are collaborating on a programme for school age children to educate them on the problems of osteoporosis in later life and how they can protect themselves through life-style changes in early life. The literature review in this issue of the Journal contains and article by Von Arx et al. on the safety and legality of driving whilst wearing a plaster cast. The conclusion is that health care professionals should provide information but not advise on whether to drive or not as it is up to the individual patient to make this decision. This is a subtle but significant change in approach and responsibility based on empowering the patient through increasing their knowledge by giving good quality information.
Peter Davis, MBE 83 Fosse Road, Farndon, Newark, Notts NG24 3TL, UK E-mail address: [email protected]