Weight-loss drug users refer to social media over doctors; New chair for Lupus UK; Menopause Charity offers free awareness packs
Weight-loss drug users turn to social media over doctors for advice
People using weight-loss drugs are more likely to seek advice from social media than healthcare professionals, a study involving University of Leicester researchers has found. Researchers found that users of GLP-1 medications – weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro that help regulate appetite and blood sugar levels – often rely on social media, online forums, friends and family for information about the drugs. Almost half (48%) of participants said social media was a source of information, while healthcare professionals were consulted less frequently.
https://leicesterbrc.nihr.ac.uk/weight-loss-drug-sm-story/
New chair for Lupus UK
Following the recent passing of Chair Elaine Holland, Ricky Chotai has been elected as the new Chair of Lupus UK. Ricky has been on the PIF member charity's board for four years, most recently as Vice Chair and Acting Chair.
Find out more, including the trustee roles Lupus UK wants to fill, here.
Menopause Charity offers free awareness packs
According to research by the Menopause Charity, more than 5 in 10 respondents said it has a considerable impact on your daily life. And while knowing where to find trusted information can help, only 7 in 10 know where to find it.
The PIF member is promoting its awareness packs ahead of Menopause Awareness Month in October to help trusted menopause information reach thousands of people every month. The packs include four posters and ten symptom checkers – and around 1 in every 16 people who sees them scans the QR code to find out more.
Check out the awareness packs on the Menopause Charity website.
New infographics on physical activity released
New physical activity infographics are now available on the Department of Health and Social Care website. The UK Chief Medical Officer has released a refreshed set of infographics outlining the benefits of physical activity across the life course, with clear age-specific advice from early years through to older adulthood.
View a Moving More factsheet from PIF member the Self-Care Forum here.
Charity funding helps mental health patients stay active
Mental health patients are being given more opportunities to stay active, thanks to charity funding. A new project funded by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s charity is helping patients moving into community care keep up sports they had enjoyed. It is part of a therapeutic programme of care on the Trust’s specialist mental health wards. And it aims to improve their wellbeing and maintain friendships after leaving long-term hospital care.
Read all about the new scheme here.
Patient feedback continues to shape NHS Wales App
The NHS Wales App team is gathering regular feedback from patients to better understand how services are performing and where improvements can be made. Using in-app surveys, behavioural analytics and user research, the team is gaining insights into real patient experiences across services such as repeat prescriptions, GP appointments and test results. The findings are helping to identify areas for improvement and ensure ongoing developments are shaped by patient needs.
Learn why this approach matters here.
Digital tech in GP surgeries ‘can cut medical errors and patient harm’
Simple, integrated digital tools used in GP surgeries can increase patient safety by significantly reducing medication errors and preventing diagnostic delays, according to a landmark study funded by the Department of Health and Social Care through the NIHR. It found digital patient safety tools in primary care can be beneficial – particularly when they combine multiple features, such as automated prescribing or missed test reports for doctors alongside digital communication tools for patients.
Read more on the NIHR website.
NICE updates guideline on osteoporosis risk assessment
NICE has updated its guideline on osteoporosis risk assessment and the related quality standard. The new guideline includes recommendations on identifying adults for fragility fracture risk assessment and treatment criteria. It also covers the timing and methods for repeat risk assessment in people not receiving treatment.
View the guidance on the NICE website here.
Download a two-page visual summary on osteoporosis treatment criteria.