Improving cardiovascular disease risk communication in NHS Health Checks: a qualitative study

• Published in: BMJ open Vol. 9; no. 8; p. e026058
• Main Authors: Hawking, Meredith K D, Timmis, Adam, Wilkins, Fae, Potter, Jessica L, Robson, John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 03.09.2019; BMJ Publishing Group
• Subjects: Adult; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Disease prevention; Documentation; England - epidemiology; Female; General Practice - methods; Health Promotion - methods; Health risks; Humans; Male; Medical records; Medical screening; Middle Aged; Morbidity - trends; Patient satisfaction; Preventive Health Services - methods; Program Evaluation; Public Health; Qualitative Research; Risk Assessment - methods; England; United Kingdom > UK; primary care; information technology; communication; public health; preventive medicine
• ISSN: 2044-6055; 2044-6055
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026058

The NHS Health Check programme is a public screening and prevention initiative in England to detect early signs of cardiovascular ill health among healthy adults. We aimed to explore patient perspectives and experiences of a personalised Risk Report designed to improve cardiovascular risk communication in the NHS Health Check. This is a qualitative study with NHS Health Check attendees in three general practices in the London Borough of Newham. A personalised Risk Report for the NHS Health Check was developed to improve communication of results and advice. The Risk Report was embedded in the electronic health record, printed with auto-filled results and used as a discussion aid during the NHS Health Check, and was a take-home record of information and advice on risk reduction for the attendees. 18 purposively sampled socially diverse participants took part in semistructured interviews, which were analysed thematically. For most participants, the NHS Health Check was an opportunity for reassurance and assessment, and the Risk Report was an enduring record that supported risk understanding, with impact beyond the individual. For a minority, ambivalence towards the Risk Report occurred in the context of attending for other reasons, and risk and lifestyle advice were not internalised or acted on. Our findings demonstrate the potential of a personalised Risk Report as a useful intervention in NHS Health Checks for enhancing patient understanding of cardiovascular risk and strategies for risk reduction. Also highlighted are the challenges that must be overcome to ensure transferability of these benefits to diverse patient groups. NCT02486913.