Top six patient health messages

Dr Dustyn Saint reveals his six most effective health messages that can be used by practices to improve their communication with patients, aid diagnosis and boost QOF prevalence.

1. To highlight risk of COPD:

• Have you or do you smoke and have you had mucous production, cough or wheeze? Please discuss this with your doctor/nurse at your next review

2. To highlight poor control of asthma

• In the last month have you had difficulty sleeping because of your asthma symptoms, have you had your usual asthma symptoms during the day, or has your asthma interfered with your usual daily activities

3. Advice on benefits of exercise

• People who are physically active reduce their risk of developing CHD, stroke and type 2 diabetes by 50%
• More than two thirds of the UK population are not physically active enough to accrue cardiovascular benefits
• Inactive adults should aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity on 5 or more days per week

4. Risks of smoking

• Smoking remains the most preventable cause of death in England. Between 1998 and 2002 it is estimated that smoking caused an average 86,500 deaths per year
• If you smoke you should consider stopping for your future health
• If you want help to stop smoking please speak to your doctor or nurse or book an appointment for the smoking cessation clinic

5. Hypertension

• Your blood pressure is important. High untreated levels can lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness and kidney damage
• Ask at reception to borrow one of our monitors or make an appointment with our health care assistant for a check up

6. Could you have a prostate problem?

• Do you have a poor stream of urine?
• Do you have to wait at the toilet for the urine to start flowing?
• Does the urine become a slow dribble towards the end of going?
• Do you feel like you haven't completely finished going at the end?
• If you have any of these symptoms you may have enlargement of the prostate – please discuss this at your next appointment with your Dr

Dr Dustyn Saint is a GP in Solihull