Classes replace pills for patients

Edcuation courses can engender a sense of wellbeing

Edcuation classes rather than pills are to be prescribed to some patients by a group of doctors in Nottingham.

The experiment is based on research by the National Organisation for Adult Learning which suggests studying can be beneficial for people's physical, mental and emotional well being.

Patients from three GP surgeries will take part in the scheme, which will last for a year.

They will be linked up to a learning adviser to help them chose the right course, and to encourage them stick at their studies.

It gives people other things to think about rather than dwelling on problems

Catherine James, scheme organiser

Catherine James, one of the organisers of the scheme, said doctors had often suggested education courses to their patients on an ad-hoc basis.

The idea of the Nottingham scheme was to study the impact on the health of patients on a more formalised basis.

Ms James said earlier research had already shown that 90% of adult learners believe that education has had a beneficial effect on their mental and physical health, and 30% said that it helped them to manage pain much better.

She said: "It gives people a chance to get out, to make new friends and be more socially active.

"Also, it gives people more confidence, a greater sense of self-esteem and gives people other things to think about rather than dwelling on problems."

Self-esteem problem

Dr Michael Varnum, one of the GPs taking part in the scheme, said only patients who were keen to learn would be referred for education courses.

He said it would benefit patients suffering from a variety of problems with anxiety and lack of self-esteem.

He said: "Good health is not just a question of hospitals and waiting lists. It is about education, employment, environment and your economic circumstances.

"Lots of people in central Nottingham are in desperate states in this respect. People have to improve their self-worth, they have to be more active, they have to feel they have some purpose in life."