title: Patient empowerment: a general practice perspective.
abstract: Patient empowerment is a frequently promoted aim for patients but is rarely put in to clinical practice. This paper describes the basic principles behind a club enabling treatment and prevention of leg ulceration in the community. These principles include patient ownership of the club, community involvement and a non-medical environment. The practical issues involved in setting up a Leg Club(R) are described in detail including engagement of healthcare professionals, community volunteers and appropriate transport.
authors.affiliation: Botesdale Health Centre, Suffolk. ellie@legclub.org
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bawden
authors.forename: Ellie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lindsay
mesh_terms: D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003256:Community Participation; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011209:Power, Psychological; D006113:United Kingdom