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Oral presentation No. 62 Some experiences of the use of patients' self-rated health questionnaires in a hospital setting Kristenson Margareta. MD, PhD, Vang Johannes, MD, PhD Center for Public Health Sciences, University of Linköping |
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Abstract |
To achieve a change towards health orientation of health services, outcome studies with regard to health are necessary. As a measurement of health gain, a combined professional judgment of the patient's state of health and the patients' self-reported health status is important. We studied self rated health in the setting of the out-patient clinic of a department of pulmonary diseases. The following issues were studied: ¥ if measurements of self rated health give information which adds to the information already registered in medical records, and ¥ if such added information has implications for clinical decision-making, and ¥ if this kind of questionnaires are feasible in the daily work and accepted by the patients and the personnel The questionnaire SF-36 was administered to 46 patients as part of the ordinary routines. The information in the medical records for each patient was compared with their scores on SF-36. In 20 of 46 cases, new and relevant information was obtained, and in 9 cases the added information was considered important for the final clinical decision. In addition, and maybe equally important, in the cases where the information was already present in the medical record, the information in these was often hidden or even silent. The patients found the questionnaires relevant and helpful. They added important information on issues which are not routinely asked for by health professionals. In conclusion; this study indicates that self-rated health questionnaires add important new information to decision makers. The measurements are feasible in routine practice and well accepted by patients. We believe that by routinely asking for outcomes of medical services, and by including patients perceived health, a reorientation of health services towards health is possible. |
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Keywords |
Health Promoting Hospitals |
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Contact |
Kristenson Margareta |
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Institution |
Center for Public Health Sciences, University of Linköping |
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Postaddress |
Folkhälsovetenskapligt Centrum |
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City |
SE-581 85 Linköping |
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Country |
Sweden |
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Margareta.Kristensson@fhvc.lio.se |
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Phone |
+ 46 13 22 50 75 |
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Fax |
+ 46 13 22 50 95 |