Authors (including presenting author) :
Hung SY, Chou PK, Chan YL, Lam SKS, Lo YM, Leung KF, Leung WCW, Leung PSC, Li HLF, Kwan WYW, Cheung PH, Chow WPA, Cheung YHK, Wong MSM, Wong MYM
Affiliation :
Department of Family Medicine and Primary Healthcare, Hong Kong East Cluster
Introduction :
HT and DM care constituted about 45% of HKEC GOPC attendances. Health education and promotion are essential to empower HT/DM patients to adopt healthy lifestyle to achieve optimal control of diseases and prevent or delay complications. Effective health education and promotion strategies should be attractive, accessible, acceptable and targeted.
Objectives :
1.To review and create effective health education and promotion methods for HT and DM care
2.To promote the use of information technology (IT) in delivering up-to-date health information
3.To enhance patients’ knowledge of chronic disease management
Methodology :
1.Relevant health education and promotion materials (e.g. posters) were reviewed, updated and standardized. IT access (e.g. QR code) was used to facilitate quick access to the information.
2.Team members gathered new ideas and designed innovative and attractive means, including setting up a health corner with booths of different themes-
i.knowledge of glycemic index using food models and toy capsule vending machine;
ii.sugar/salt content, in terms of number of sugar cubes and spoonful of salt, of commonly consumed products e.g. bottled drinks, chicken powder, soy sauce.
3. Briefing was conducted for all clinic staff about the health corner.
4. Student nurses were trained to conduct the games. Souvenirs (e.g. paper fans with slogans and QR codes of HT management) were distributed to participants.
5. The booths were rotated among clinics quarterly.
Result & Outcome :
From 9/2018 to 9/2019, more than 1000 patients visited the health corner in four clinics. According to the satisfaction survey, all participants agreed that the education and promotion materials were eye-catching and informative. The messages were clear, relevant and would motivate them to adopt healthy lifestyle. The game booth enabled them to consolidate the knowledge about the myths and facts of the diseases. All staff members and student nurses agreed they better appreciated the nature of the two diseases and the importance of health education and promotion.
Innovative health education and promotion strategies are important components of HT and DM care.
