Expert patients. So you think you know it all?
The government's proposal to set up an expert patients programme to enable those with chronic illnesses and disabilities to manage their condition is a welcome step towards greater user involvement. The programme should avoid a medical model and take account of patients' social circumstances. The programme must include evaluation. Health professionals in the UK have yet to embrace patient self-management. To date they have been reluctant to refer service users to self-help groups.
McIver
S
S
Health Services Management Centre, Birmingham University.
D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016730:Program Development; D012648:Self Care; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom