Search results for ‘Subject term:"physical illness"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 9 of 9
Effectiveness of befriending interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Authors:
- SIETTE Joyce, CASSIDY Megan, PRIEBE Stefan
- Journal article citation:
- BMJ Open, 7(4), 2017, Online only
- Publisher:
- BMJ Publishing Group
Objective: Befriending is an emotional supportive relationship in which one-to-one companionship is provided on a regular basis by a volunteer. It is commonly and increasingly offered by the voluntary sector for individuals with distressing physical and mental conditions. However, the effectiveness of this intervention on health outcomes is largely unknown. This systematic review examines the benefits of befriending. Design: Systematic review Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted to identify randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental trials of befriending for a range of physical and mental health indications including depression, anxiety, mental illness, cancer, physical illness and dementia. Main outcomes included patient-relevant and disease-specific outcomes, such as depression, loneliness, quality of life, self-esteem, social support and well-being. Results: A total of 14 trials (2411 participants) were included; 7 were judged at low risk of bias. Most trials showed improvement in symptoms associated with befriending but these associations did not reach statistical significance in all trials. Befriending was significantly associated with better patient-reported outcomes across primary measures. However, there was no significant benefit on single outcomes, including depression, quality of life, loneliness ratings, self-esteem measures, social support structures and well-being. Conclusions: There was moderate quality evidence to support the use of befriending for the treatment of individuals with different physical and mental health conditions. This evidence refers to an overall improvement benefit in patient-reported primary outcomes, although with a rather small effect size. The current evidence base does not allow for firm conclusions on more specific outcomes. Future trials should hypothesise a model for the precise effects of befriending and use specified inclusion and outcome criteria. (Edited publisher abstract)
Building our future: laying the foundations for healthy homes and buildings: draft paper
- Author:
- ALL-PARLIAMENTARY GROUP FOR HEALTHY HOMES AND BUILDINGS
- Publisher:
- All-Parliamentary Group for Healthy Homes and Buildings
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 8
- Place of publication:
- London
This Green Paper sets out key recommendations on what needs to be done to ensure that homes and buildings are healthy and do not create or worsen health issues. The paper also highlights the health and cost benefits which could be achieved by raising building and environmental standards and refitting homes and buildings. Potential benefits include: lower costs to the health service, better educational attainment, improved well-being, and independent living. The deadline for submitting responses to the paper is 30 September 2017. (Edited publisher abstract)
Opportunities for integrating physical health within assertive community treatment teams: results from practitioner focus groups
- Authors:
- MEYER-KALOS Piper S., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 53(3), 2017, pp.306-315.
- Publisher:
- Springer
This qualitative study assessed the experiences of assertive community treatment (ACT) team members regarding the integration of physical and mental health self-management for persons with serious mental illness. Three focus groups elicited information from participants concerning barriers, strategies, and recommendations. Findings from inductive analyses revealed six overarching themes: (1) collaboration with primary care, (2) improvements in engagement, (3) team-focused roles, (4) education and training, (5) recommendations for system level barriers, and (6) systems collaboration. Participant recommendations suggest that ACT teams are well positioned to integrate mental and physical health treatment, but further research is needed to support integrated care. (Publisher abstract)
The association of physical illness and self-harm resulting in hospitalisation among older people in a population-based study
- Authors:
- MITCHELL Rebecca, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 21(3), 2017, pp.279-288.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: This research aims to identify the association of physical illness with hospitalisations following self-harm compared to non-self-harm injury among older people. Method: A population-based cohort study of individuals aged 50+ years admitted to hospital either for a self-harm or a non-self-harm injury using linked hospital admission and mortality records during 2003–2012 in New South Wales, Australia was conducted. Logistic regression and survival plots were used to examine the association of 21 physical illnesses and mortality at 12 months by injury intent, respectively. Age-adjusted health outcomes, including length of stay, readmission and mortality were examined by injury intent. Results: There were 12,111 hospitalisations as a result of self-harm and 474,158 hospitalisations as a result of non-self-harm injury. Self-harm compared to non-self-harm hospitalised injury was associated with higher odds of mental health conditions (i.e. depression, schizophrenia, bipolar and anxiety disorders), neurological disorders (excluding dementia), other disorders of the nervous system, diabetes, chronic lower respiratory disease, liver disease, tinnitus and pain. Tinnitus, pain, malignancies and diabetes all had a higher likelihood of occurrence for self-harm compared to non-self-harm hospitalisations even after adjusting for mental health conditions, number of comorbidities and alcohol and drug dependency. Conclusion: Older people who are experiencing chronic health conditions, particularly tinnitus, malignancies, diabetes and chronic pain may be at risk of self-harm. Targeted screening may assist in identifying older people at risk of self-harm. (Edited publisher abstract)
Personal Independence Payment evaluation: wave 1 claimant survey findings
- Authors:
- CARRAGHER Emma, et al
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department for Work and Pensions
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 36
- Place of publication:
- London
This report provides results of interviews with 1,100 claimants of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), to better understand their experiences of the claims process. The research was commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and carried out by Ipsos MORI. The report present the results in the following areas: claimants’ knowledge and understanding of the PIP claims process; experiences of registering a claim; views and experiences of completing the application form and providing evidence to support the claim; and available information about the process. The survey findings show that overall, the claim telephone line and application processes work well. Claimants find the application form allows them to explain their condition. However, the survey found evidence that people lacked of prior knowledge about PIP, were unclear about the next steps after they return the form, and over half of claimants surveyed sought help with filling in the form, because of their disability or illness or because they did not understand the questions. Few claimants were interested in making a claim online. The research also found that new claimants had a lower prior knowledge about the process, were more likely to seek different types of advice before applying, and therefore had a clearer knowledge about the subsequent steps in the process than other claimant types. (Edited publisher abstract)
Illness representations in caregivers of people with dementia
- Authors:
- QUINN Catherine, JONES Ian Rees, CLARE Linda
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 21(5), 2017, pp.553-561.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Illness representations shape responses to illness experienced by the self or by others. The illness representations held by family members of those with long-term conditions such as dementia influence their understanding of what is happening to the person and how they respond and provide support. The aim of this study is to explore components of illness representations (label, cause, control and timeline) in caregivers of people with dementia. Method: This was an exploratory study; the data reported came from the Memory Impairment and Dementia Awareness Study (MIDAS). Data from semi-structured interviews with 50 caregivers of people with dementia were analysed using content analysis. Results: The majority of caregivers gave accounts that appeared to endorse a medical/diagnostic label, although many used different terms interchangeably. Caregivers differentiated between direct causes and contributory factors, but the predominant explanation was that dementia had a biological cause. Other perceived causes were hereditary factors, ageing, lifestyle, life events and environmental factors. A limited number of caregivers were able to identify things that people with dementia could do to help manage the condition, while others thought nothing could be done. There were varying views about the efficacy of medication. In terms of timeline, there was considerable uncertainty about how dementia would progress over time. Conclusion: The extent of uncertainty about the cause, timeline and controllability of dementia indicated that caregivers need information on these areas. Tailored information and support taking account of caregivers' existing representations may be most beneficial. (Publisher abstract)
Working well: a plan to reduce long-term sickness absence
- Authors:
- DAVIES Bill, et al
- Publisher:
- Institute for Public Policy Research
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 74
- Place of publication:
- London
This report looks at the numbers of people not in work due to sickness, long term conditions and disabilities. It focuses on how they can be better supported to remain in work, preventing them from falling out of work or moving onto sickness benefits. It identifies how employers can do more to better identify signs of sickness early, intervene to support an employee’s health needs, and support employees who have begun a period of sickness absence. The report finds that people with mental health conditions make up an increasing proportion of those claiming incapacity benefits and are one of the groups most at risk sickness absence. Focusing on the issue of mental health, the report explores key points along the sickness-at-work journey to show how employers can provide more support. The report also identifies a number of problems in the current sickness policy framework. It finds that the 28 week statutory sick pay period is too short to take account of complex health conditions; the Fit Note provides insufficient information about an employees' ability to return to work; and that the Fit to Work service is insufficient in scope. The report makes recommendations for employers and government, which include a 'Fit Pay' policy that would allow people to stay in work but to reduce their hours whist receiving some financial support from employers. (Edited publisher abstract)
The cost of loneliness to UK employers
- Author:
- NEW ECONOMICS FOUNDATION
- Publisher:
- New Economics Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 56
- Place of publication:
- London
This study, commissioned by the Co-op and issued in conjunction with the Jo Cox National Commission on Loneliness, provides an estimate of the cost of loneliness to UK employers. The study uses evidence from the literature on the relationships between loneliness and wellbeing and health outcomes and published national statistics on employment, to develop a person-centred impact model showing possible pathways from loneliness, to person-centred impacts, and to costs to employers. The model comprises four key pathways covering the impact of loneliness on: employee health outcomes and the costs of the associated sickness absence; the health of those who are cared for by friends or relatives in work, and the costs to employers of the associated caring activity by employees; employee wellbeing, and the costs to employees of the related reduction in productivity; on employee wellbeing, and the costs to employers of the related increase in voluntary staff turnover. The research estimates that the costs from these four pathways produce a total cost to UK employers from loneliness of £2.5 billion per year, which includes £2.1 billion to employers in the private sector. The results suggest it is in employers’ interests to take reactive and preventative approaches to minimise the loneliness of their employees. It identifies raising awareness of loneliness among employers as a first key step, so they understand the business case for addressing loneliness among their employees. (Edited publisher abstract)
Treat as one: bridging the gap between mental and physical healthcare in general hospitals
- Authors:
- CROSS S., et al
- Publisher:
- NATIONAL CONFIDENTIAL ENQUIRY INTO PATIENT AND OUTCOME DEATH
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 112
- Place of publication:
- London
This report examines the overall quality of mental health and physical healthcare provided to patients with significant mental health conditions who were admitted to a general hospital. It draws on an in-depth review of 552 cases of patients had a physical illness and a mental health condition. It looks at patients presentation to hospital (the majority though the emergency department), admission to hospital, ongoing care on the ward, and discharge planning and death. In relation to discharge planning, the report a lack of multidisciplinary discharge planning and in appropriate risk assessment. The report concludes that a lack of integration of physical and mental healthcare in hospitals is leading to poor care for patients with a physical illness who also happen to have a mental health condition. It makes recommendations to reduce the divide between mental and physical healthcare, including the integration of liaison psychiatry services into general hospitals, staff training in mental health conditions, and improved record sharing between mental health hospitals and general hospitals. (Edited publisher abstract)