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Table 1 Main types of help that patients described the LHWs providing

From: A motivational intervention for patients with COPD in primary care: qualitative evaluation of a new practitioner role

Type of activity

Number of patients describing activity*

Examples

Signposting of other services

19

Directing patients to health trainers, complementary practitioners, disability taxi service, ‘good neighbour’ scheme, local support groups and charities; providing other contact telephone numbers.

Education and information

19

Explaining COPD; providing worksheets and leaflets about COPD; information on coping strategies to support activities of daily living.

Health behaviour advice

18

Behavioural advice on smoking cessation; exercise and diet plans; accompanying patient in exercise; advice on sleep; collaborative goal setting; teaching relaxation techniques and providing relaxation CD.

Listening

17

Listening to patients’ accounts; providing ‘company’; talking informally about patient’s life; having tea with patient.

Supporting applications

9

Helping complete applications for state benefits, bus passes and disability parking badges; supporting other applications including for grant for headstone for patient’s relative, and applications for volunteering and employment.

Providing a positive perspective

8

Encouraging patients; rewarding patients’ achievement with praise or small gifts; suggesting new ways of thinking about problems.

Practical support

7

Liaison with local services to effect practical adaptations in the home such as hand rails, fire alarms and chair supports; accompanying patients to local services or groups.

Formal cognitive-behavioural intervention

7

Management of anger, panic and sleep problems; addressing low mood; showing connection between mental and physical health.

  1. *All patients described more than one activity.