Abstract
Introduction: This is the first study conducted in Wales, UK to evaluate the usefulness of a lifestyle prescription form (L℞) for use by prescribing clinicians in both the primary and secondary health care settings in the Cwm Taf University Health Board, Wales, UK and to gauge clinician opinion on the use of such a novel material tool.Objective: To establish the views of clinicians on the feasibility and effectiveness of using a novel lifestyle prescription form (L℞) requiring co-signing by clinician and patient and uniquely based on the design of the standard drug prescription form used in primary and secondary care settings in the United Kingdom.
Methods: Thirty-seven participants were recruited with 1 drop out. Thirty-six participants, 18 doctors (12 secondary care of varying specialties and 6 general practitioners), 15 nurses, and 3 general practice healthcare assistants, were each issued with an L℞ prescription pad (each pad containing 20 sheets) and asked to prescribe each L℞ to suitable patients during consultation and log the reason for L℞ issue. Each clinician was then asked to complete a feedback questionnaire.
Results: Forty percent (196 of 480) of the L℞ scripts that were provided to primary and secondary care clinicians during the study period were issued (age (mean) 56 years, range 35-75 years). In most consultations the L℞ was prescribed for dietary advice, 69 and 62% in primary and secondary care respectively. Mostly, the L℞ was prescribed as an adjunct to prescribing medication (43%) and in response to request for advice from the patient (40%). Nurses were more likely to prescribe an L℞ in response to a request for advice from a patient. In secondary care, more L℞ were prescribed to males than females (p = 0.017). Doctors reported lack of time as a main barrier to using the L℞ and were more likely to report this than nurses.
Discussion: An L℞ is a useful addition in the clinical setting prompting clinicians to give lifestyle advice to patients who require lifestyle changes to improve their health. An L℞ is a method of distributing lifestyle advice that clinicians would utilise, given sufficient time. The main barrier to use experienced in the study was lack of time, this may be due to the L℞ being a novel tool. Issuing the L℞ prescription is a method of confirming lifestyle advice that clinicians could utilise, particularly with sufficient consultation time.
Conclusion: The L℞ is a useful addition to the clinician’s communication toolkit to stimulate lifestyle behaviour changes in their patients, to help improve their cardiovascular health.
| Date of Award | Aug 2019 |
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| Original language | English |
| Supervisor | Edgar Williams (Supervisor) |