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. |