New research has been published by Dr Joanne Protheroe, chair of the Health Literacy Steering Group, examining health literacy levels and associated lifestyle and demographic factors, in Stoke on Trent.
Lower health literacy is a public health issue that follows a social gradient, potentially reinforcing existing health inequalities. However, levels of health literacy in particular populations can be unclear and are a key to identifying effective public health interventions.
This research examined health literacy levels in Stoke-on-Trent, where 31.2% of the population live in areas classified amongst the 10% most deprived in England.
The European Commission announced earlier this month that it has has set up a working group to develop guidelines for assessing the validity and reliability of the data that health apps collect and process.
Based on their expertise, 20 members representing civil society, research and industry organisations were selected to participate in the working group. The guidelines are expected to be published by the end of this year.
A study by Royal Holloway University, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, has explored the quality of information found in online discussion forum websites. It aims to assess the likely value of such information as a peer-to-peer health information–sharing platform.
A total of 25 health discussion threads were selected across 3 websites (Reddit, Mumsnet, and Patient) covering 3 health conditions (HIV, diabetes, and chickenpox).
Assessors were asked to rate information found in the discussion threads according to 5 criteria: accuracy, completeness, how sensible the replies were, how they thought the questioner would act, and how useful they thought the questioner would find the replies.
A joint declaration has been published on post diagnostic dementia care and support.
It is based on a recognition that people living with the effects of dementia and their families and carers have a need for the right information and support so they can live as fulfilling lives as possible, prepare for the future and their preferences for end of life are acted upon.
Evidence shows the longer between appointments the higher the chance of a young person developing psychosocial issues such as anxiety and depression and increased HbA1c. Diabetes is also linked to higher rates of eating disorders.
The Diabetes Transition Service Specification is designed to inform commissioners’ development of a clear specification based on local context.
CQC are inviting people’s views on whether their updated Code of practice provides a consistent and lawful approach to obtaining, using, disclosing and handling confidential personal information across all areas of CQC’s work.
NHS England together with Ipsos MORI, have published the latest Official Statistics from the GP Patient Survey. The survey provides information on patients’ overall experience of primary care services in England.
The latest survey consisted of around 2.4 million postal questionnaires sent out to adults registered with GP practices in England across two separate waves, from January to March 2015 and again from July to September 2015. Over 854,000 patients completed and returned a questionnaire, resulting in a national response rate of 35.7%.
The majority of patients (84.9%) rate their overall experience of their GP surgery as good, with more than two in five (42.7%) rating their experience as ‘very good’.
A new £1m project to improve the care of people with learning disabilities is being led by v-connect, a video communication service.
The project, BOLD-TC (Better Outcomes for People with Learning Disabilities – Transforming Care), will collaborate with care providers and their clients to explore how multi-way video calling, remote video and other services through mobile devices, together with remote monitoring of vital signs can help people with learning disabilities remain in their community, increasing their independence and improving their health and wellbeing.
The King’s Fund have published a review of eight technologies they believe will revolutionise health and care, with practical examples of how they are being developed and used.
The article looks at smartphones, arguing that the full potential of these devices is yet to be realised. It considers the role of apps, as well as using smartphones as the hub for new diagnostic and treatment technologies, and their contribution to large scale research.
A report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman highlights the barriers that older people can face when looking to complain about their care, and makes a number of recommendations to improve older people’s experience of the complaints system.
The Accessible Information Standard directs and defines a specific, consistent approach to identifying, recording, flagging, sharing and meeting the information and communication support needs of patients, service users, carers and parents, where those needs relate to a disability, impairment or sensory loss. This is a series of events aimed at Commissioners, Health and Adult Social care providers and voluntary and community organisations that are promoting and working in this area.
Conclusion – The study suggests that age, cognitive style, level of health literacy, daily Internet use, and prior education are all important variables in determining whether an individual can successfully take advantage of the increasing amount of health information available on the Internet. Specific approaches to web design could be used to improve the success rate of those who are context sensitive, and greater support and direction to reputable online health sources from medical and information professionals could assist those who are less health literate.
NICE have published an updated guideline on type 2 diabetes in adults that states healthcare professionals should involve people with type 2 diabetes in decisions about their care, and ensure they are offered patient education support.
The King’s Fund and Picker Institute Europe have published the first longitudinal study of inpatient survey data over a nine year period, from 2005 to 2013. The findings show how patients’ experience has changed over time at a national level and an individual trust level.
A study has been published in the Health Expectations journal exploring perceptions and experiences of engaging with health information online in a young adults familiar with social media.
The Accessible Information Standard directs and defines a specific, consistent approach to identifying, recording, flagging, sharing and meeting the information and communication support needs of patients, service users, carers and parents, where those needs relate to a disability, impairment or sensory loss.
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