Public libraries as partners in Realistic Medicine

Realistic Medicine for public libraries

Realistic Medicine is about making sure that healthcare fits the person, not just the disease. It moves away from the old idea that “doctor knows best” and towards a partnership where the citizen’s voice matters.

Public libraries already help people make sense of information, explore choices and feel more confident in everyday life.

This module focuses on how public libraries can be powerful partners in shared decision‑making, personalised approaches to care and finding trusted health and wellbeing information that fits people’s needs.

The role of public libraries in shared decision making

Shared decision‑making is one of the main ideas of Realistic Medicine. It means that people and healthcare staff talk together, share information and decide what care is best. Asking questions is a key part of this.

Many people do not realise they are allowed to ask questions or take part in these decisions. Public libraries can help change this.

The BRAN questions

When making health decisions, people need to feel informed and confident.

Library staff can support this by introducing the BRAN questions. BRAN is a simple way to help people remember what to ask at a health appointment.

B – Benefits: What are the good things about this treatment?

R – Risks: What are the side effects or downsides?

A – Alternatives: Are there other options, such as physiotherapy instead of surgery?

N – Doing Nothing: What happens if I wait or choose not to have the treatment?

Encouraging people to ask these questions supports Realistic Medicine and shared decision-making. It helps people compare their choices and feel more confident about what is right for them.

Tools to support people before appointments

Library staff can signpost people to the Being a partner in my care toolkit. This helps citizens think about their options before they speak with a healthcare professional. Citizens can take time to reflect, fill in the form, and print it to bring to their appointment.

Using the BRAN questions helps people compare their choices and feel more confident about their decisions. 👉 Explore the BRAN tool here. 

You can also signpost people to the NHS Inform It’s Okay to Ask website, which covers the same questions. People can take time to fill it in, print it out, and bring it to their appointment.
Using these tools helps people feel prepared, informed and ready to take an active role in decisions about their care.

The role of public libraries in supporting a personalised approach to care

A personalised approach to care is one of the key ideas of Realistic Medicine. It means that healthcare is shaped around the individual person. It takes account of their needs, preferences and life situation, instead of using the same approach for everyone.

What matters to me?

Good healthcare is not just about medical facts. It should also reflect what matters most to the person, such as their goals, values, and daily life.

Asking “What matters to me?” helps people to start conversations with healthcare professionals that put the person at the centre of their care. Public libraries can help by giving people time, space and tools to think about what matters to them before an appointment.

Tools to support personalised care

Library staff can help by pointing people to the Being a partner in my care toolkit. It supports both BRAN questions and "What matters to me" reflection.

People can use the questionnaire to write down what matters most to them, save their answers and print them to bring to their appointment. This helps them feel more prepared, more confident and more able to shape their care around their own life.

Finding personalised health and wellbeing information

Public libraries are friendly and safe places where people can learn about looking after their health in a way that suits them. Instead of only asking “What is wrong with me?”, libraries help people think about “What matters to me?” and find information that fits their own life and needs.

Access to trusted health information

One of the most important ways libraries support personalised care is by helping people find trusted and easy‑to‑understand health information. Many people feel unsure about where to look or how to judge if information is reliable. Libraries can make this easier and help by:

👉 For more guidance, there is a dedicated module on Health literacy and misinformation within this tool.

Finding information that fits the person

Health leaflets and websites can be very general, and not everyone sees themselves in the information they are given. Libraries help people find resources that feel more relevant and personal to their own lives. This can include:

  • information available in different languages, Easy Read formats or audio versions, so people can choose what works best for them
  • local groups and activities that support wellbeing, such as walking groups, craft sessions or social clubs
  • stories, poems, reading groups and reminiscence groups that help people understand their own experiences and feel less alone

Digital support

Some people also need help accessing online health information or using digital tools. Libraries can offer gentle, practical support such as:

By offering information, space, and support, public libraries help people think about what matters most to them and feel more confident when making decisions about their care.

What's next?

Public libraries are more than places for books. They are trusted community spaces that empower citizens to take an active role in their health. By providing access to reliable information, digital tools and a supportive environment, libraries help people feel confident and prepared for conversations about their care.

In the next module, you will learn what health literacy means and why public libraries play a key role in stopping the spread of false health information. This will help you guide people to trustworthy sources and support your work in making sure everyone can make informed choices about their health.

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