CompletedPhase 1ACTRN12607000167460

Community-based health organisations and chronic illness care

Evaluation of the provision of mailed print-based information to increase access to community-based health organisations among general practice patients with chronic disease

Sponsor

Dr Fran Boyle, The University of Queensland

Enrollment

650 participants

Start Date

Mar 19, 2007

Study Type

Interventional

Conditions

Access to community-based health organisations amongst patients with chronic illness Haemochromatosis Asthma Osteoporosis Diabetes Arthritis Hepatitis C

Summary

The purpose of the study is to evaluate a general-practice based referral strategy to improve access to community-based health organisations among people with chronic illness. It is hypothesised that greater access to these organisations is associated with a range of benefits in terms of chronic illness self-management and health related quality of life.

Eligibility

Sex: Both males and femalesMin Age: 18 Yearss

Inclusion Criteria1

Confirmed (by general practitioner) diagnosis of arthritis, osteoporosis, ankylosing spondylitis, asthma, diabetes, hepatitis C, haemochromatosis, or kidney disease.

Exclusion Criteria1

Cognitive impairment that precludes provision of informed consent; Non-English speaking or otherwise unable to complete a telephone interview.

Print for Your Doctor

Interventions

General practice patients with chronic disease will be assigned randomly to receive routine care plus mailed letter containing general information plus printed information package providing information about community based health organisations relevant to the patient's chronic condition (Intervention group). At recruitment to the study, all patients will be advised (via a participant information sheet) that they will be mailed one of two information packages, both of which will contain useful information but differing in the amount of information provided: one will contain more detailed information than the other. Patients are advised they will have an equal chance of receiving either of the packages and that the one sent will be decided at random. The patients will retain and have access to the intervention package for the duration of the 12-month study and beyond.