RESUMO
This paper outlines some of the issues which arose for patients and professionals involved in patient participation projects at the Marylebone health centre in London. It describes the projects undertaken and focuses on the practical implications of working with rather than for patients. Dilemmas surrounding patient participation are discussed, including the ways volunteers are rewarded, how doctors and patients can share knowledge, how participation is affected by professional boundaries, and why a regular group meeting may not necessarily be the best way to involve patients in decision making. The successes of patient participation are also highlighted.
Assuntos
Saúde Holística , Participação do Paciente , Centros Comunitários de Saúde , Humanos , LondresRESUMO
A study was undertaken in a London inner city practice to determine an underprivileged area score for the practice based on information derived from questionnaires completed by 773 patients. The practice studied was new, had a highly mobile population and operated an 'open door' policy to new registrations--factors which were all considered to be contributing to a high level of workload. This was confirmed by the practice underprivileged area score which at 60.37 was considerably higher than the comparative score of 17.22 obtained for the same patients based on 1981 census information. This method highlights the differing workloads of practices in the same area and provides a means by which to make comparisons between practices.
