Table 1 Priority areas and co-designed solutions to improve the experience of care
Priority area | Co-designed solutions |
|---|---|
Improved information and communication | • Providing patients with easy to read, accessible information by signposting to available websites (e.g. www.patient.co.uk) • Conducting a ‘mini-review’ shortly after prescription • Ensuring patients are seen in-person for the prescribing appointment • Standardisation in the information provided within the GP practice • Medication related information provided to patients via text message following prescribing appointment • Group consultations to provide information and education to patients in relation to medication |
Continuity of care: the importance of seeing the same healthcare professional | • Signposting patients to General Practice based pharmacists (if available) to provide consistency in support with deprescription • Where pharmacist support is limited, small groups of 2–3 GPs to work together to provide continuity of care • Ensuring medication reviews are conducted by the same clinician. |
Alternatives to medication and alternative ways to manage symptoms | • Utilising services such as mental health link workers and social prescribing schemes where available • Providing information on all possible treatment options with patients, even if alternative treatment options and services are not available • Discussion of self-care treatment options |