Self-assessment of health and social care needs by older people

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Harris ◽  
Roz Ullman ◽  
Peter Griffiths

The involvement of service users as active participants is a stated aim of many current developments within health and social care, and self-assessment has been identified as a key mechanism. For over 15 years, the UK Department of Health has referred to the importance of the service user's views in assessment, and this has been re-emphasized recently in guidance issued to both local authorities social services and the NHS. The concept of the expert patient and the promotion of self-care amongst people with long-term conditions are also highlighted as central to current NHS development. Although not specified as such, self-assessment is an important component of these person-centred initiatives which encourage self-diagnosis, self-monitoring and self-management.

2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Abell ◽  
Jane Hughes ◽  
Siobhan Reilly ◽  
Kathryn Berzins ◽  
David Challis

BJGP Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. bjgpopen17X100941 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton B Queen ◽  
Richard Lowrie ◽  
Janice Richardson ◽  
Andrea E Williamson

BackgroundThere is a paucity of current health data regarding users of a specialist homeless health service in the UK.AimTo describe the health of users of a specialist homeless health service by assessing levels of multimorbidity, social exclusion — by measuring severe and multiple disadvantage (SMD) — and patient engagement with health care.Design & settingAnalysis of patient-level data from computerised records of patients registered with a specialist homeless health service in Glasgow, Scotland.MethodData for 133 patients were extracted using a data extraction form. Multimorbidity and SMD were described using categorisation adapted from previous literature in this field. Stepwise regression analysis was carried out to assess the relationship between domains of SMD experienced and the number of long-term conditions (LTCs) a patient had.ResultsThe average age of patients in the cohort was 42.8 years, however levels of multimorbidity were comparable to those aged ≥85 years in the general population. The average number of LTCs was 2.8 per patient, with 60.9% of patients having both mental and physical comorbidity. SMD was categorised into three domains: homelessness; substance misuse; and previous imprisonment. More than 90.0% of patients experienced ≥2 domains of SMD, and SMD experiences were associated with multimorbidity: as domains of SMD experiences increased, so did the number of LTCs a patient was recorded as having.ConclusionThis cohort of patients has a complex burden of health and social care needs, which may act as barriers in the provision of effective health care.


2020 ◽  
pp. 174239532093704
Author(s):  
Amanda Wilkinson ◽  
Janel Atlas ◽  
Katrina Nelson ◽  
Hilda Mulligan

Objectives Health and social care navigation services provide support for people with long-term conditions. Such services are available in the New Zealand (NZ) context. However little is known nationally or internationally about clients’ experience of engaging with such services. This study aimed to describe client perspectives of engaging with a health and social care navigation service in a NZ metropolitan city. Methods The manager and navigators of the service recruited clients who were previous users of the service. We individually interviewed nine clients (F = 7; M = 2; aged between 30–80 years) in their homes. Many of the participants reported social isolation, and some were without regular income. We transcribed interviews verbatim and analysed data thematically. Results There was one overall theme: Restoration of my essence or being (in the Māori language, wairua), and sense of belonging (turangawaewae) through a regenerative approach developed in partnership between the navigator and the client. Thus, participants felt renewed and validated as human beings. Discussion Enabling clients to feel re-valued as human beings captures the concept of personhood whereby a person has capability and capacity for life choices. We suggest enabling a client to feel valued assists in development of self-determination and consequently improved health and well-being.


2003 ◽  
Vol 182 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seamus V. Mcnulty ◽  
Laing Duncan ◽  
Margaret Semple ◽  
Graham A. Jackson ◽  
Anthony J. Pelosi

BackgroundLittle is known of the needs of elderly patients with psychotic illnesses.AimsTo measure the care needs of an epidemiologically based group of patients over the age of 65 years suffering from psychotic illness, using a standardised assessment.MethodAll patients aged 65 years and over with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and related disorders from a defined catchment area were identified. Their health and social care needs were investigated using the Cardinal Needs Schedule.ResultsThe 1-year prevalence of schizophrenia and related disorders was 4.44 per 1000 of the population at risk. There were high levels of unmet need for many patients, including those in National Health Service (NHS) continuing-care beds.ConclusionsMany needs were identified, all of which could be addressed using the existing skills of local health and social care professionals. The investigation raises serious concerns about standards of hospital and community care for elderly patients with schizophrenia. The findings may be unique, reflecting long-standing problems within a particularly hard-pressed part of the NHS. However, it is not known whether a similar situation exists in other parts of the UK.


Delivering high quality health and social care is considered to be one of the key governance challenges in the UK. People are living longer, and chronic diseases are more prevalent, which puts ever more pressure on health and social services to deliver. In order to better co-ordinate these services and deal with increased demand and funding pressures, authorities at both national and local levels are moving towards integrated care services. However, the integration of these services is plagued with difficulties. This chapter will explore the complexities of joining-up health and social care. It includes a case study of Continuing Healthcare (CHC), which is a package of care provided by the National Health Service (NHS) and which involves a number of providers across the health and social care sectors. While much of the chapter focuses on health and social care challenges in England, it will finish with analysis of Scotland's progress towards integrated services.


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