A series of Fact Sheets (see list on right) for common ailments have been developed by the Self Care Forum Board with the aim of helping clinicians and patients to discuss issues around self care within the practice consultation and especially how to handle symptoms in the future. They provide patients with the following information:
- Useful facts
- What patients can expect to happen (the natural history)
- What people can do to help themselves – now and in the future
- When to seek medical help (the ‘red flags’)
- Where to find out more
The fact sheets (on right) were developed using the following resources:
- Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
- Guidelines from the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN)
- Publications produced by the UK Royal Colleges and major charities
- Selected major peer reviewed scientific articles
- NHS Choices
- NHS Direct
- Patient UK”