Can self-care health books affect amount of contact with the primary health care team? A randomized controlled trial in general practice.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of two differently styled self-care health books in general practice on the frequency and duration of patients' consultations and their views of the books.


METHODS
Random allocation of patients to either a descriptive or a decision-tree based self-care health book, or a no-book control condition. Three- and 12-months follow-up by postal questionnaire and monitoring of consultations.


METHODS
A large general practice in the South East of England.


METHODS
A total of 1967 volunteer, adult patients who attended the practice in 2001 participated.


METHODS
Demographics; health problems; use of health services; use and perceptions of the trial book; frequency and duration of consultations.


RESULTS
Response rates to postal questionnaires at 3 and 12 months were 80% and 74%. In all, 48% consulted their allocated book, compared with 25% who consulted any healthcare book in the Control group. Those reporting health problems were more likely to have consulted their allocated book; 60% reported that the allocated book made them more likely to deal with a problem themselves and 40% reported themselves less likely to consult the practice. However, there were no differences in consultation rates or durations of consultations between the three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Handing out of self-care health books may provide qualitative benefits for patients but is unlikely to reduce attendance at the GP practice.
Platts
Amanda
A
Parkbury House Surgery, St Peter's Street, St Albans AL1 3HD, UK.
Mitton
Rosly
R
Boniface
David
D
Friedli
Karin
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001877:Books; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires