Trust in the age of AI; What patient groups say about pharma; Findings from an FGM education model

Trust and truth in the age of AI

A report by Full Fact explores how generative artificial intelligence (GAI) presents new risks and opportunities for those trying to tackle misinformation and disinformation. Trust and truth in the age of AI makes recommendations for the next Government, online platforms and regulators. They include:

• The next government should amend the Online Safety Act to better address harmful misinformation and disinformation, especially relating to health.
• The government must increase resources for media literacy now and to meet future demand.
• Ofcom should work with online platforms and search engines to ensure media literacy interventions are responding to the needs of UK citizens and seen by as many people as possible.

Read the full report via the Full Fact website here.

What patient groups say about pharma

PatientView has published a report exploring the reputation of pharma from the perspective of 87 UK patient groups. It shows patient groups believe the pharmaceutical industry's corporate reputation has improved steadily over the past five years. The report also includes two major suggestions from patient groups on how the industry can continue to progress:

• Improve how they work with patients groups to ensure it does not feel like a "tick-box exercise".
• Engage patient groups earlier in research and development rather than relying on near-to-market research.

Read more about the findings via the PatientView website here.

Study: A female genital mutilation education model

A new study uses six key themes to develop a model for female genital mutilation (FGM) education. It offers several insights into how education programmes could be improved based on interviews with women and men from communities with a history of FGM in Birmingham. 

The need to carefully consider how illustrations, whether real or animated, are presented was specifically emphasised. Participants highlighted that graphical illustrations and the use of native language should only be applied with audience agreement. Some words may sound rude in native languages. Other key areas of insight include the use of media, cultural awareness and the use of accessible and safe venues for education programmes.

Read the full findings, including a summary figure of the six aspects of education, via the BMJ Open website here.

Health fact sheets for women in the criminal justice system

PIF member the Self Care Forum has published health fact sheets for women in the criminal justice system. The four new resources cover menopause, urinary incontinence, managing periods and contraception. They have been produced in collaboration with the criminal justice system and medical experts, and reviewed by patient groups.

Download the resources via the Self Care Forum website here.

Self Management Awards 2024 open for nominations

The ALLIANCE Self Management Awards 2024 are now open for entries. The awards celebrate those making a difference to self management in Scotland. There are six categories including Self Management in the Community and Self Management Resource. 

Find out more and apply via the ALLIANCE website here.

Study: Health literacy in the non-specific symptom pathway for cancer

A new study explores personal and organisational health literacy in the non-specific symptom (NSS) pathway for cancer. The ethnographic study identified key themes highlighting the "considerable informational demands" of the NSS pathway. They included patient being required to understand complex tests and investigations, not knowing why they were being referred from primary care and being unsure of what do following discharge.

Researchers also said the NSS pathway was difficult to understand with only a minority of patients appreciating that multiple organs were being investigated for cancer and a lack of clarity on who was making decisions and what would happen next. 

Read the full study findings via the Wiley Online Library here.

Public attitudes towards deaf people and people with hearing loss 

The RNID has published a report highlighting the impact of negative public attitudes towards those who are deaf or hard of hearing. More than 5 in 10 people with hearing loss, 6 in 10 deaf people and 7 in 10 BSL users believe most people hold negative attitudes towards them. However, less than 1 in 10 of the general public say they hold these negative attitudes. 

It Does Matter says the way the public have been engaging with deaf people and people with hearing loss has led these communities to think the public hold negative attitudes towards them. It includes lived experience accounts and insight into how to improve communication.

Read more and download the full report via the RNID website here.

Addressing health inequalities across allied health professional services

The Government has published new guidance to support the planning, implementation and evaluation of actions to reduce health inequalities in allied health professional (AHP) services. The guide is designed to complement The King’s Fund document, My role in tackling health inequalities: a framework for allied health professionals.

Download the guidance via the GOV.UK website here.

Event: Elevating Disability Justice in Black Britain

The Black Equity Organisation (BEO) and Operation Black Vote (OBV) are hosting a free online event on 10 June. Forward Together: Elevating Disability Justice in Black Britain will explore the intersection of racism and ableism across a range of sectors, including health and social care. Michelle Daley, BEO Trustee and Disability Justice activist will be joined by:

• Jumoke Abdullahi – co-founder, The Triple Cripples
• Clenton Farquharson CBE – associate director of Think Local Act Personal and trustee of Disability Rights UK
• Paul Ntulila – community engagement coordinator at Disability Sheffield
• Tumu Johnson – co-director, Sisters of Frida

Find out more and register via the BEO website here.