Shared decision making: why the slow progress?

In this essay, Neal Maskrey discusses why, after more than 40 years of research and policy endorsement, adoption of shared decision making into routine practice has been remarkably slow. 

He argues there is no simple solution. 

However, he does suggest three new approaches designed to improve communication and shared decision making that incorporate routine evaluation and timely reporting of findings.

The BMJ

Getting started with NHS login

NHS Digital has published a guide to help health and care staff help patients access services using the NHS login.

NHS login is the single secure login enabling patients to access health and social care apps and websites wherever they see the NHS login button.

The NHS Digital guide includes an instructional video and step-by-step guidance.

NHS Digital

The value of patient engagement

A new white paper looks at the challenges pharma and medical device companies face if they are to successfully engage patients.

The Value of Patient Engagement: Incorporating the patient voice from clinical development to commercialisation is published by Pharmerit.

It outlines the benefits of working with patients and how to go about involving them within clinical trials or HTA programmes.

Pharmerit

Study: Measuring social media value in healthcare

A study argues a 'comprehensive yardstick' is needed to simplify the measurement of outcomes from social media in health care.

Criteria to Measure Social Media Value in Health Care Settings argues, with the growing use of social media in healthcare, there is a need to measure outcomes to ensure improvement.

The authors hope the hope the literature review will be used as a starting point to create a comprehensive measurement criterion for social media used in health care.

JMIR Publications

Health tech to shout about

A new feature series is highlighting health tech projects which have made an impact across health and care.

The first #HealthTechToShoutAbout highlights six projects including digital dashboards being used to improve maternity care and the use of a secure video service.

Health Tech Newspaper

First library services assistant apprentice appointed

North Bristol NHS Trust has recruited the first library, information & archive services assistant apprentice in the NHS.

The library apprenticeship standard is being used to bring a new employee into the trust and deliver a comprehensive development pathway. 

Library & knowledge services manager John Loy said there had been a lot of interest from colleagues about using the standard to recruit so Shakira Rawlins could be the first of many.

Skills for Health

New guide to pharmacy visits

The General Pharmaceutical Council has produced a new online guide for patients and the public which explains what they can expect when visiting a pharmacy.  

The guide summarises the standards registered pharmacies and pharmacy professionals have to meet, and what these standards mean for people using pharmacies.

General Pharmaceutical Council

Words matter during a heart attack

In this article heart attack survivor and patient advocate Maggie Parke shares her story.

Recent research has suggested the ways in which men and women describe heart attack symptoms differently can affect diagnosis in urgent situations.

Maggie describes how she told medical staff she was 'uncomfortable' rather than 'in pain' during her heart attack and the impact this had on her care.

pharmaphorum

NICE Shared Learning Awards

Entries are now open for the NICE Shared Learning Awards 2020.

The awards recognise individuals and organisations who best put NICE guidance and quality standards into practice to improve services. 

Entry is free via the website. The deadline is 4 March 2020.

The 20 successfully shortlisted entries will be notified in late April 2020.

NICE