Welfare Rights Advice in Primary Health Care: Pilot Study
Author Information
Author(s): Mackintosh Joan, White Martin, Howel Denise, Chadwick Tom, Moffatt Suzanne, Deverill Mark, Sandell Adam
Primary Institution: Public Health Research Group, School of Population & Health Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Hypothesis
Does providing welfare rights advice through primary health care improve health outcomes for older adults?
Conclusion
The study found that while many participants were eligible for welfare benefits, there was little evidence of health outcome differences between those who received advice and those who did not.
Supporting Evidence
- 58% of participants received a welfare benefit award.
- Median time to receipt of benefits was 14 weeks.
- The intervention was feasible and acceptable to participants.
- There was little evidence of health-related differences between groups.
Takeaway
This study looked at whether helping older people get welfare benefits through their doctors could make them healthier. It found that many people could get benefits, but it didn't really change their health.
Methodology
A single blind, community-based, pilot randomised controlled trial with 126 participants aged 60 and over from four general practices.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the self-selection of participants and the single-blind design.
Limitations
The study was not powered to detect small differences and had a small sample size, which may have diluted the observed effects.
Participant Demographics
Participants were 126 men and women aged 60 years and over, primarily white British.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI: -2.6 to -0.7
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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