Exploring how a self-management programme may reduce regular urgent care use in people with high health anxiety

What we are doing?

Exploring the literature to identify areas for improvement for individuals to manage health anxiety. Currently, cognitive behavior therapy either face to face or internet based has been identified as beneficial for reducing health anxiety. However, there is a need to develop independent self-managed pathways for individuals with high levels of health anxiety.  

Why we are doing it?

This subject area is required for exploration as health anxiety contributes towards psychological distress and regular healthcare service utilization. This correlates with increased healthcare costs and poorer health outcome for individuals.  

What the benefits will be and to whom?

The benefit of a self-managed programme may enable individuals to be self-caring and to have the necessary tools to manage their health anxiety. Alleviating health anxiety is beneficial for improve an individual’s physical, psychological and social health outcomes. Moreover, adopting a self-managed pathway for individuals would contribute towards reducing healthcare costs for unplanned, unscheduled same day appointments and investigations.  

Who we are working with?

Supervisors are Richard Morriss, Thomas Schroder and Sam Malins. This project aims to work with MindTech to potentially develop an internet based or app to provide the self-managed programme.  

Contact

Ashley Duncan PhD Student, NIHR ARC East Midlands, Ashley.duncan@nottingham.ac.uk.

Photo by Dollar Gill on Unsplash