Online health educator The Sound Doctor has
just completed its most recent patient survey with Wolverhampton Clinical
Commissioning Group (CCG), which confirms the importance of its service as part
of any self-managed health programme focusing on long-term conditions.
The Sound Doctor produces world class
educational health films. Following a text campaign from some Wolverhampton
Practices, thousands of patient had immediate access to the Sound Doctor
library of films. Most popular conditions were diabetes, lifestyle, dementia,
COPD and back pain.
Wolverhampton CCG developed questions which were sent out via email and text to 130 patients.
More than half (55%) of the patients had been
diagnosed with a long-term condition in the last year (and more than a fifth
within one or two years). A similar number strongly agreed that they felt more
confident about what to do if their condition worsens, while 84% reported
visiting their GP or medical practice less after going on The Sound Doctor’s
website. Approaching half had used hospital inpatient and A & E service
less.
Half also said they felt more confident managing
their condition.
In around 15% of cases, a carer completed the
survey on behalf of the patient. Just over 50% had accessed The Sound Doctor
more than five times, more than 40% between three and five times. Over 55%
agreed that, since using the service, they understood their condition better.
Here are
just a handful of the comments made in the survey:
“I have watched a lot of the films and have gone back to them several times each because I can’t always remember the first time. They are very useful”
“We would have been a bit stuck without some of this advice. I didn't find much of the information I wanted on the Alzheimers society website and NHS.UK doesn't have very much so this was perfect for us. I thought the carers perspectives were really useful and so were their tips as I know they have already been through it all.”
“This is a really good resource for me and for my wife. We didn't know anything about diabetes until I was diagnosed so this is very important for us and I'm glad my practice recommended it.“
“I am doing the seated exercises most days - very useful.”
“Demonstrations of the inhaler technique and the film on tips for different breathing exercises were particularly helpful.”
Rosie Runciman, co-founder of The Sound Doctor,
said: “It’s always great to get feedback like this, and to have so many
responses saying users had visited hospital and their GP less, Letting everyone
know that the resource is available by texting a unique practice link is such
an easy way of communicating, gives each practice good data, and could make a
real difference in terms of prevention.”
The Sound Doctor works with medical
professionals to help patients to manage their conditions better at home. The
films are three to five minutes long and are full of accessible, engaging, practical information.
They feature a wide variety of clinical
experts and patients, and have the support of leading disease-specific
charities.
ENDS
Notes for editors
• To learn more about The Sound Doctor, go
to http://www.thesounddoctor.org/
For editorial enquiries, contact 0131 357 8977
or email pr@redheadpr.co.uk
Visit www.redheadpr.co.uk
Find out more about founder and managing director, Sara Tye