The challenges of facilitating primary healthcare discussions on traditional, complementary and alternative medicine for childhood eczema: Piloting a computerized template

PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING

卷:89

Article

Lorenc, Ava¹  Falinski, Andrew²  Banarsee, Ricky³ 

[1] London S Bank Univ, Fac Hlth & Social Care, London SE1 0AA, England

[2] Thames Valley Univ, London, England

[3] Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, London, England

关键词: Medical records;    Eczema;    Primary health care;    Doctor-patient communication;    Computers;    Complementary therapies;    Medicine;    Traditional;    Child;    Parent;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.pec.2012.03.007

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Objective: Healthcare practitioners (HCPs) experience barriers to changing routine consultation practice. Communication and recording of traditional, complementary and alternative medicines (TCAM) is inadequate. This pilot study explored the challenges of implementing a computerized template in primary care to facilitate communication on TCAM for paediatric eczema. Methods: A computerized template to record TCAM use, with links to evidence-based TCAM databases, was designed, based on qualitative research with patients and HCPs. Four London general practices implemented the template integrated with usual practice. Twelve focus groups during the 6 month study period explored HCPs' knowledge, communication and information sources regarding TCAM and perceived barriers to template implementation. Results: HCPs were initially enthusiastic about discussing TCAM, for improving communication and understanding patient's choices, but the template was used in under a third of consultations. HCPs were surprised at low TCAM use (10%) and lack of correlation with eczema or ethnicity. Reported barriers were time and remembering, due to busy, target-driven practice. Conclusion: HCPs recognize the importance of discussing TCAM use for childhood eczema, and potential benefits for HCP-patient communication. Practice implications: Future tools to facilitate TCAM discussion should prioritise use of existing IT systems and address barriers to use, especially lack of time. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

Free