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Self care case studies
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Last modified date:24 April 2008
Health of Men project
Bradford & Airedale PCT
The present day HOM project is a 5 year Big Lottery Fund initiative which addresses the neglected area of men’s health and the inequalities which result from this historic lack of attention across the Bradford and Airedale district.
The project is delivering health services to suit boys and men’s needs within the community and in environments which are non threatening and comfortable to men and outside of traditional health settings, i.e. Pubs, barbershops, retail outlets, betting shops, sporting clubs and other various male oriented venues.
The project is at the forefront of men’s health work and in early 2003 was the largest men’s health initiative in the country.
Beating the Blues
Norfolk PCT
A proposed study to explore experiences of individuals with cardiovascular disease undertaking a programme of computerised cognitive behaviour for depression.
MyAction
Bromley PCT
An innovative preventive cardiology programme.
The Stepping Out Programme
For everyone concerned with stroke rehabilitation - A new approach to self care.
Stroke is one of the most complex and prevalent disabilities in the UK, affecting over 130,000 people in England and Wales alone. In the UK, stroke costs £4.2 billion per annum in terms of lost productivity, disability and informal care costs.
The Stepping Out programme is a new approach to working with stroke survivors and supports the development of effective self-management skills and aims to work with and compliment existing stroke services.
At the end of June 2007 the Stepping Out programme had been evaluated by three UK stroke rehabilitation services. Earlier this year interactive workshops were held in three pilot sites at Inverness, Sutton and Merton, and Christchurch, with therapists and nurses involved in all stages of the stroke journey (acute and community services). A total of 45 practitioners working in stroke attended over the three sites. The results of these pilots have now been collated and analysed.
The phase 1 evaluation shows widespread support for the Stepping Out programme with most practitioners committed to embedding it in their own practice, and making it available for individuals who have had a stroke when the programme is launched in 2008. What is also apparent is the need for professionals to understand, and believe in, the theory of self-management before they start using Stepping Out. Spending time with individuals who have had a stroke, supporting them to set targets and then reflect of their success, may be a new way of working for many.
The formal evaluation of the programme will continue as the programme expands and will provide the basis for published research.
Birmingham OwnHealth
Birmingham OwnHealth is a partnership between Birmingham East and North Primary Care Trust, Pfizer Health Solutions and NHS Direct, to deliver proactive telephone-based healthcare support 'Care Management' to individuals with long term conditions in Birmingham.
The service aims to support people with cardiovascular disease, heart failure and diabetes to take a more active and informed role in managing their own health. There are consistently high levels of satisfaction reported from patients and professionals involved in the service.
A 20 year old man was in denial about his diabetes. He hadn't told anyone about his condition, he drank heavily when out socialising, rarely measured his blood sugars and had not seen his GP in 18 months. Following five contacts with his care manager, he now regularly monitors his blood glucose, is in regular contact with his GP, has moderated his alcohol intake and explained his condition to his family and friends.
Achieved in the first 6 months:
- Full demographic, clinical and utilisation history being supplemented by clinical uploads and HES
- For the first 506 enrolees:
- 52% improved their stage of change for diet
- 22% have changed their exercise level in a positive direction within a 49 day period
- HbA1c mean percentages moved significantly from 8.08% to 7.78% (p=0.02)
- Total cholesterol moved significantly from 4.56 mmo1/1 to 4.33 mmo1/1 (p=0.006)
These outcomes have further improved over the course of the first year and will be presented as part of the rigorous evaluation of Birmingham OwnHealth. Interim analysis indicate significant improvements in enrolled patients' self efficacy, health behaviours and improvement in some clinical indicators such as cholesterol and HbA1c levels.
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