CHAPTER PLAN
We expect people to consult health services when they experience symptoms and to
follow health care professionals’ advice to avoid negative health consequences. In
reality, however, professional help seeking is not easily predicted from clinical
symptoms and people often do not follow health professionals’ advice. In this chapter
we explore how people’s perceptions and beliefs affect help seeking and adherence.
We also discuss how health care professionals can manage consultations effectively
so that they maximize patient satisfaction, empowerment and illness management/
recovery.
Half the UK population, especially those with long-term illnesses, report having
used complementary therapies. We discuss what such therapies offer and consider the
challenges involved in integrating them with traditional medical health care. We also
examine the nature of placebo effects, their importance in assessing therapeutic
effectiveness and what they teach us about the relationship between health and
psychological care. Finally, we focus on the needs of people with long-term illnesses
and how psychological interventions can help them.
The chapter is presented in six sections:
1 deciding to consult;
2 promoting adherence;
3 managing consultations;
4 patient-centredness and concordance;
5 complementary therapies and placebo effects; and
6 managing long-term illnesses.
PART 5 Relating to patients
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