چکیده (انگلیسی):

Background:The NHS Health Check was designed by UK Department of Health to address increased prevalence of
cardiovascular disease by identifying risk levels and facilitating behaviour change. It constituted biomedical testing,
personalised advice and lifestyle support. The objective of the study was to explore Health Care Professionals’ (HCPs)
and patients’ experiences of delivering and receiving the NHS Health Check in an inner-city region of England.
Methods:Patients and HCPs in primary care were interviewed using semi-structured schedules. Data were analysed
using Thematic Analysis.
Results:Four themes were identified. Firstly,Health Check as a test of‘roadworthiness’ for people. The roadworthiness
metaphor resonated with some patients but it signified a passive stance toward illness. Some patients described the
check as useful in the theme,Health check as revelatory. HCPs found visual aids demonstrating levels of salt/fat/sugar in
everyday foods and a‘traffic light’ tape measure helpful in communicating such‘revelations’ with patients.Being SMART
and following the protocolrevealed that few HCPs used SMART goals and few patients spoke of them. HCPs require
training to understand their rationale compared with traditional advice-giving.The need for further follow-uprevealed
disparity in follow-ups and patients were not systematically monitored over time.
Conclusions:HCPs’ training needs to include the use and evidence of the effectiveness of SMART goals in changing
health behaviours. The significance of fidelity to protocol needs to be communicated to HCPs and commissioners to
ensure consistency. Monitoring and measurement of follow-up, e.g., tracking of referrals, need to be resourced to
provide evidence of the success of the NHS Health Check in terms of healthier lifestyles and reduced CVD risk.