Open AccessA consultation leaflet to improve an older patient's involvement in general practice care: a randomized trial
Author(s) -
Wetzels Raymond,
Wensing Michel,
Weel Chris,
Grol Richard
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
health expectations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.314
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1369-7625
pISSN - 1369-6513
DOI - 10.1111/j.1369-7625.2005.00354.x
Subject(s) - medicine , intervention (counseling) , randomized controlled trial , patient satisfaction , family medicine , outreach , general practice , physical therapy , cluster randomised controlled trial , nursing , surgery , political science , law
Objective To evaluate the effects of a programme to enhance the involvement of older patients in their consultations in general practice. Design Cluster randomized trial, in which data was collected from different cohorts. Setting and participants Twenty‐five general practices in the south‐east part of the Netherlands and their patients aged 70 years and over. Intervention Patients in the intervention group received a leaflet to help them prepare for the consultation. General practitioners (GPs) received an outreach visit to optimize older patients’ involvement when visiting their GP. Patients in the control group received usual care. Main outcome measures Questionnaires measuring involvement (COMRADE), enablement (Patient Enablement Index) and satisfaction with their care (EUROPEP). Results Pre‐intervention 315 patients and post‐intervention 263 patients were included. Subjects were satisfied with their involvement and the GP's behaviour during the consultation. No differences in effect as a result of the leaflet on involvement, enablement or satisfaction were found between the intervention and the control group. Of 318 patients who received the leaflet and visited their GP in the intervention period, 47 patients used the leaflet. These users were more accustomed to prepare themselves for consultations. Users reported more psychological problems than non‐users. Conclusions No relevant effects of the implementation programme on involvement, enablement or satisfaction were found. Other strategies are needed to enhance involvement of older patients in their care. Alternatively, older patients may perceive themselves sufficiently involved.