Provision of consumer health information in general practice
BMJ 1994; 308 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.308.6927.509 (Published 19 February 1994) Cite this as: BMJ 1994;308:509- B J Elliott,
- J S Polkinhorn
- Newnham College, Cambridge CB3 9RF The Surgery, Wickhambrook, Suffolk CB8 8XU
- Correspondence to: Dr Polkinhorn.
- Accepted 12 November 1993
The term “consumer health information” is relatively new and refers to information about healthy living, medical conditions, and health and other services that is provided direct to consumers. There are arguments for developing consumer health information independently of providers of primary care and other health care. It could then be seen as impartial and as a source of empowerment for consumers of health care. On the other hand, people have traditionally gone to their general practitioner for advice on their health and find general practice surgeries convenient and appropriate places to seek information on health.1 Although there are several examples of innovations in the provision of health information to patients in general practice,*RF 2-5* there is no clear picture of the overall provision of consumer health information in general practices.
Method
and results
A brief questionnaire about consumer health information (written, on video tape, or on audio tape) was sent in April …