The UK’s Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has launched an animated video that aims to encourage GPs to consider the complex needs of patients.
The video features an elderly patient called ‘Rose’ who has multiple long-term conditions and several family issues, including a grandson with behaviour difficulties.
The animation highlights that the current standard of a 10-minute GP appointment leaves doctors with just enough time to do repeat prescriptions and simple medical checks, meaning the wider needs of a patient are not considered.
Instead the RCGP suggests that GPs approach their relationship with complex patients in a different via a holistic care planning approach that involves a wider team of healthcare professionals.
As suggested in the video patients with complex needs, as well as their family members and carers, should be offered the chance to meet with a care planning tram in a local surgery before a GP consultation.
This team will assess a patient’s physical, mental and social needs in order to develop a plan to effectively deliver their long-term care and allow patients to maximise the time spent with their GP.
The move to a more patient-centric system of primary care is a key aim of NHS England and is increasingly important as the UK faces an increase in its ageing population, many of whom live with several long-term conditions, such as diabetes and respiratory conditions.
To better support GPs in adapting to this service the RCGP has launched its Collaborative Care and Support Planning programme. Funded by the Health Foundation the programme aims to help primary care embed collaborative care and support planning for people living with long term conditions.
Prof Nigel Mathers, RCGP Honorary Secretary and chair of the coalition for collaborative care said a move to a care planning approach “has the potential to improve the lives of the one in four people in England who are living with at least one long-term condition and to reduce admissions to hospital”.
He added: “This short animation is a new way of explaining how it works in an effective but entertaining way. We hope it will prove to be an invaluable resource for all GPs and health professionals working in primary care.”