Health education on self-management and seeking health care in older adults: a randomised trial

Patient Educ Couns. 2004 Oct;55(1):48-54. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2003.07.004.

Abstract

The aim of this randomised trial was to determine the effects of a health education strategy for older adults living at home on GP attendance. The health education comprised a written booklet on five frequently by GP unnoticed, highly prevalent and potentially treatable health problems: hearing impairment, visual impairment, urinary incontinence, depression and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS). The information comprised structured guidance to enhance decision-making on seeking health care by their GP and contained advice on self-management. The control group did not receive any intervention. Primary outcome was GP attendance of patients regarding the five health problems within 3 months. At this point we expected an increase of GP attendance. Six hundred and eighty-seven subjects completed the study. We can conclude that the health education strategy did not change the GP attendance of older adults. The results suggest that the health education was being appreciated as being useful and informative.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Aged / psychology
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Decision Making
  • Family Practice* / methods
  • Family Practice* / standards
  • Family Practice* / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Education / methods*
  • Health Education / standards
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Netherlands
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
  • Pamphlets
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care* / psychology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care* / statistics & numerical data
  • Program Evaluation
  • Self Care* / psychology
  • Self Care* / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Teaching Materials / standards