Patient education and counseling
-
To improve our understanding of patient participation in health care consultations and decision-making by exploring a consultation that lies at the interface between mainstream care and complementary therapies. ⋯ Insight were gained into professionals' communication strategies and patients' role preferences in decision-making, which may be applicable more widely.
-
To analyse the co-construction of self-care advice in traditional acupuncture consultations. ⋯ The active participation of both patients and acupuncture practitioners in self-care talk may be related to professional practice that is underpinned by a holistic theory base such as Chinese medicine and is delivered in the context of therapeutic relationships based on continuity, mutuality and trust. These findings may inform professional education and the design of multi-disciplinary care pathways.
-
To examine the meaning of participating at a rehabilitation clinic in the lives of men with chronic pain. ⋯ We suggest that health professionals should be aware of the social significance rehabilitation clinics may represent for men living with chronic pain.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Exploring communication pathways to better health: clinician communication of expectations for acupuncture effectiveness.
This study tested a pathway whereby acupuncturists' communication of optimism for treatment effectiveness would enhance patients' satisfaction during treatment, which in turn would contribute to better pain and function outcomes for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. ⋯ While clinicians should not mislead patients, communicating hope and optimism for treatment effectiveness has therapeutic value for patients.
-
To investigate health information needs and their association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a diverse, population-based sample of long-term cancer survivors. ⋯ Findings suggest a need for tailored interventions to equip survivors with comprehensive health information and to bolster skills for obtaining information.