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PRIMARY CARE: Paul Little, Jane Somerville, Ian Williamson, Greg Warner, Michael Moore, Rose Wiles, Steve George, Ann Smith, and Robert Peveler Randomised controlled trial of self management leaflets and booklets for minor illness provided by post BMJ 2001; 322: 1214 [Abstract] [Full text]

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Purpose of information provision

Fiona McLean   (18 May 2001)

Purpose of information provision 18 May 2001
Fiona McLean, Health care information officer British Library Send response to journal: Re: Purpose of information provision	I appreciate the huge demands on GP time, and therefore the focus on reducing attendance if possible. However, it is unfortunate that only the lack of impact on attendance seems to have been considered in concluding that such provision has a limited role in the NHS. The study *also* found that patients found the information provided was useful, and increased their confidence. Of course, this raises questions about how they acted on the information, but it is still an important finding. I would hope that patient/public information is seen as having a wider purpose than just reducing GP workload.