Patients who are given self help books are no less likely to see their doctor

Giving patients self care health books does not reduce the number or length of consultations with their GP, a new report says (Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care 2005:23;142-8).

Research that was based on nearly 2000 patients in a large general practice in the south east of England shows that although many of the patients who were given such books said they would be less likely to consult a doctor, the actual likelihood that they saw their doctor was the same as for patients who were not allocated books.

“Handing out of self-care health books may provide qualitative benefits for patients but is unlikely to reduce attendance at the GP practice,” …