Patient education and counseling
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Diabetes care from diagnosis: effects of training in patient-centred care on beliefs, attitudes and behaviour of primary care professionals.
In a randomised trial, general practitioners and nurses in 21 practices were trained in patient-centred consulting and use of materials for people with Type 2 diabetes (GPs 0.5 days; nurses 1.5 days; two optional follow-up half-days). Twenty practices formed the comparison group. Professional beliefs, attitudes and behaviour were measured (pre-trial, close-of-course and end-of-trial), supported by patient reports of nurse behaviour (141 trained: 108 comparison patients, 1 year after diagnosis). ⋯ Although nurses rated patient-centred care as important, whether or not they had been trained as part of the trial, the short, generalizable training programme significantly reduced nurse perceptions of their ability to deliver it. Nonetheless, patients reported that important aspects of diabetes care were delivered more if their nurses had been trained in patient-centred consulting. This raises issues concerning measurement scales completed by trained professionals.
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Stroke patients and caregivers have a substantial need for information. The Dutch 'Poststroke Guide' was written in an attempt to meet this need. The study investigates the distribution of this guide among stroke patients, caregivers, and stroke providers. ⋯ Mainly young, slightly disabled male stroke patients with healthy caregivers returned the questionnaire. Both stroke patients and caregivers read the guide thoroughly; it clearly meets their need for information. In the future, distribution will have to be less selective.