It takes courage to be positive in times of change

When is feels like someone has tipped all the water out of your glass, it's difficult to take the "glass half full" positive approach.  But if the glass was more than half full then maybe losing a little of the contents is right, as horrifying a thought as that may be.

I'm obliquely referring to all the changes in the NHS in England in the last few months. I found March a very depressing time to be on Twitter as the chorus of disapproval for change grew louder, and at times, more aggressive. In the end, the changes have happened. What happens now is a matter of attitude.

Complaining is easy. Coming up with the shift in mindeset that's required to make the changes work is far more difficult. I'm not prone to Bible quotes but there's a good one from Matthew 7:3 "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"

The challenge for those complaining loudest now is to be sure that what they're complaining about is not something they have a part in. It's time to examine the fears that lie behind the complaints and to help those who see only the negative that there are patients and communities who want to make the changes work for them.

Feedback needs to be both ways, especially for patients

Feedback is important, in almost any context I can think of. In quality improvement we are continually asking staff and patients for feedback about their experiences. I make a point of completing feedback forms that are sent to me because I believe that my opinion will - somewhere down the line - count.  Mostly this is on trust as I never get any feedback to me as to whether my involvement has been worthwhile.

Asking me, the patient for feedback is giving me the impression that you believe my views are important  Not letting them know me results of my feedback is, sort of, forgiveable (it would be nice to what "what happened later").  But what is really difficult to get to grips with is on-line feedback which is then not answered. NHS Choices runs an excellent on-line feedback scheme where patients can leave their notes about their experience.  In many cases the organisations respond with an explanation. And for many patients this is enough - to know that someone cares about their experience.

For my own GP practice there are a few pages of negative comments from patients whose experience is an issue. The fact there are no recent replies to these comments leaves me feeling like wanting to leave a note about there being no feedback...

Feedback: it works both ways.

Self Management Support Tools and Resources

Hoorah! We're finally moving from what often feels the patronising approach of "empowering patients" to finding ways to truly be partners in their care process.  There are multiple projects and programs round the world which demonstrate what can be done.  I've put together a list of resources which you may find useful.

1. My favourite are from The Health Foundation. Their package is comprehensive and includes materials for training staff so is excellent for getting the message out there in a practical way. They've also got resources for improving patient skills.

2. The Institute for Improvement has a short guide which is useful if you want to check what you may need to do to get some benefits.

3. There's an excellent write up about the long term conditions collaborative in Scotland where they identify the top high impact changes you can make.

4. Selfmanagement,.co.uk also has resources and it's one of the few places I've seen where there's information on relevant published literature.  In fact, the more I look at this website, the more I feel it is perhaps the most comprehensive and useful...

Do you have any favourite self management support resource links you'd like to share? Please comment below and I'll add to this blog.