Patient Information Forum: Knowledge is power report (November 2024)

Summary

Adults in the UK are struggling to find health information they can trust and there are clear inequalities in access to information. Knowledge is Power offers new insights into information access, trusted sources, communication with healthcare professionals and the impact of misinformation.

The Patient Information Forum (PIF) and Ipsos have published new research into health information access across the UK. Knowledge is Power offers new insights on information access, trusted sources, communication with healthcare professionals and the impact of misinformation. 

Content

Key findings

• Half of adults in the UK are struggling to access trusted health information.
• 1 in 10 adults in the UK have been affected by misinformation, rising to 1 in 5 for ethnic minorities.
• 8 in 10 adults in the UK agree access to trusted health information would help them manage their health. 
• 1 in 6 adults in the UK say their views are not taken seriously by their health professional. This rises to 1 in 4 for ethnic minorities. 
• Only 1 in 10 adults with long term conditions in the UK are signposted to patient organisations, yet these are highly trusted by their users.
• 2 in 3 adults in the UK state independent verification of health information would increase trust.

Recommendations

Knowledge is Power makes five recommendations on the right to health information, aligned with the three shifts proposed in the NHS 10-year plan. In summary they are:

1. A right to health information – Health information is provided as a core part of patient care.
2. Tackle misinformation – Through robust content standards and effective signposting of credible health information via health professionals and the NHS Apps.
3. Tackle inequality – Health information must be accessible and appropriate for all.
4. Lived experience as a metric – Embedding patient experience as a measure of NHS performance using the NHS Apps and single patient record.
5. 5. Dedicated leadership – A mandate for the effective delivery of health information with a named lead in all NHS organisations.