GPs urge more patient ‘self care’ for minor ailments
pharmafile | September 30, 2010 | News story | Medical Communications | Doctors.net.uk, OTC, doctors, pharma, simon grime
Research by Doctors.net.uk, on behalf of OTC Bulletin, has revealed that nine out of ten general practitioners in the UK (91 per cent) believe that self-care by patients has an important role to play in general practice.
Nearly eight out of ten general practitioners (78 per cent) are likely to encourage more patients to practice self-care in the future. The research indicated that GPs wish to concentrate on patients that present with the most serious medical conditions.
Over a quarter of all GP consultations are for pain relief, many showing mild to moderate symptoms, with patients wanting their doctor to recommend an over the counter (OTC) analgesic. Other ailments about which they are asked most frequently for OTC recommendations are coughs and colds, skin problems and gastro-intestinal complaints. Some 63 per cent of doctors also said they regularly give advice on vitamins, minerals and supplements.
The majority of doctors said that while they are being asked by patients for recommendations for OTC medicines in the area of chronic illness, diabetes, depression and hyper-tension, they would much prefer to have full control over diagnosis and treatment in these areas.
Simon Grime, head of healthcare at Doctors.net.uk, said: “Encouraging self care for common complaints could be an important contribution to the productivity gains that are being demanded of the health sector.
“Given GPs are increasingly being asked by patients about OTC medicines, there is a significant opportunity for brand owners to engage doctors and ensure their products are front of mind during consultations.”
However, the prospect of more medicines being released from prescription control rang alarm bells for GPs. Only 36 per cent of general practitioners either strongly agreed or agreed that “more medicines should be switched from prescription-only to pharmacy (POM-to-P) status”. And almost as many – 34 per cent – strongly disagreed or disagreed with the idea, with the remaining 30 per cent neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Doctors.net.uk works with a wide range of charitable, government and other public sector bodies including the Department of Health and the NHS, to inform and educate doctors.
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