Variations in the organization and delivery of the 'NHS health check' in primary care

Source: Journal of Public Health Area: Evidence > Medicines Management > References Background: To evaluate the organisation of the new cardiovascular risk assessment programme, NHS Health Checks, in general practices. Methods: All 99 general practices in two inner London boroughs were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey by completing an online questionnaire. Results: Data were analysed for 66/99 (67%) eligible practices.  Training attended for delivering the Health Check included measurement methods (43%), delivering risk information (65%) and advising on lifestyle change (62%).  The Framingham risk score was used by 66% of practices, the QRisk score by 12% and both by 8%.  Advice given to patients identified as high risk was 'usually' brief at 26% of practices, advice was given verbally at 92% of practices, in written form at 74% and through interactive visual materials at 29%.  Statins were 'usually' prescribed to high-risk patients by 34% of practices and antihypertensive drugs by 22%.  The follow-up of high-risk ...
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - Category: Cardiology Source Type: news