5. The evidence base
A growing body of research, carried out in the United Kingdom and the United States, has shown that self-management programmes provide important benefits to participants.
A review of the available evidence on self-management was originally undertaken when the Expert Patient task Force were compiling the Expert Patient report. The research, conducted by Professor Julie Barlow of Coventry University, showed that the benefits of self-management include:
- reduced severity of symptoms
- significant decrease in pain
- improved life control and activity
- improved resourcefulness and life satisfaction
Evaluation of the Expert Patients Programme
Internal evaluation data, self-reported from approximately 1,000 Expert Patients Programme participants, indicates that the programme provides significant numbers of people with long-term conditions with the confidence and skills to better manage their condition on a daily basis:
- 45 percent felt more confident that they would not let common symptoms (pain, tiredness, depression and breathlessness) interfere with their lives.
- 38 percent felt that such symptoms were less severe four to six months after completing the course.
- 33 percent felt better prepared for consultations with health professionals.
Course graduates also reported a reduction in their use of services. These are:
- 7 percent reduction in GP consultations
- 10 percent reduction in outpatient visits
- 16 percent reduction in A&E attendances
- 9 percent reduction in physiotherapy use
Over 94 percent of those who took part in the evaluation felt supported and satisfied with the course. The results are consistent with other bodies of evidence on self-management programmes.
Independent evaluation
Independent evaluation of the Expert Patients Programme is also being carried out by a national team of researchers based at the National Primary Care Research and Development Centre (NPCRDC) of the University of Manchester and the NPCRDC of the Centre for Health Economics at University of York.
As part of the evaluation a national randomised controlled trial is being carried out as well as an in-depth qualitative analysis of how the Expert Patients Programme is being implemented at the local level around various primary care trust sites in England.
The trial covers all areas of England, from urban to rural, both different geographies and demographics, and various ethnic, gender and disease-specific groups.
