Theme 1: Can self-management and shared decision making create an informed, empowered patient? How might this improve the quality of life and bring care closer to the community?

Jennifer Gray: Chronic Pain Specialist Pharmacist, Ninewells Hospital

Current guidance in Scotland and in Tayside is encouraging doctors to rely less on strong analgesia medications and more on non-medical treatments to help their patients who have chronic pain as recent evidence has confirmed that non-medical treatment is at least as effective. This includes physical activity and supported self-management. Through consideration of non-pharmaceutical management of chronic pain, there is the potential to reduce medication burden on patients and the associated risk of short and long term adverse effects, including hospital admissions, as well as better outcomes overall.The NHS Tayside Chronic Pain Service Improvement Group has developed a set of resources which will be of interest to healthcare professionals in primary and secondary care as well as those living with chronic pain to support them to manage their condition and improve quality of life.

Dr Christopher Schofield: Diabetes Clinical Director - Elective MedicineConsultant Physician - General Internal Medicine, Diabetes and Endocrinology

As a lifelong chronic condition, Diabetes provides an excellent opportunity to develop pathways of care that fulfil core tenets of Realistic Medicine. Current models of care tend towards a paternalistic approach with routine reviews of patients at defined times leading to low value appointments. However, personalising the approach to healthcare by setting joint goals, improving self-management and democratising access to specialist services could potentially improve care and outcomes for patients. We will use this session to discuss the possibilities and how this may be applicable across other chronic diseases.

Realistic Medicine in an Unreal World ~ A Virtual Event