This Cochrane review shows that patient-mediated strategies, such as patient information, patient education or when patients give information about themselves, can help improve clinical practice.

What does the research tell us?

In systematic reviews, available research is collected and critically appraised. The research question in this systematic Cochrane review was: What is the effect of patient-mediated strategies on clinical practice? Patient-mediated strageies were compared to no intervention or usual care. Findings from four types of patient- mediated strategies are presented below.

Results

• Patient‐reported health information probably improves clinical practice
• Patient information may improve clinical practice
• Patient education probably improves clinical practice
• Patient decision aids may make little or no difference to clinical practice

Read the whole "Briefly summarised" summary here