Patient and general practitioner attitudes to healthy lifestyle behaviours and medication following coronary heart disease: an exploratory study

Speechly, Catherine, Bridges-Webb, Charles, McKenzie, Suzanne, Zurynski, Yvonne, and Lucas, Alison (2010) Patient and general practitioner attitudes to healthy lifestyle behaviours and medication following coronary heart disease: an exploratory study. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 16 (2). pp. 154-158.

[img] PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/PY09011
 
12
3


Abstract

Patients with coronary heart disease often engage in unhealthy lifestyle behaviours. We explored patients’ and general practitioners' (GPs') perceptions about the effectiveness of healthy behaviours and medications for the prevention of further cardiovascular disease. This exploratory study used semi-structured interviews with eight Sydney GPs and 13 of their patients with coronary heart disease. Patients perceived medications to be more effective than healthy behaviours in improving specific aspects of cardiovascular health, such as angina symptoms, cholesterol and blood pressure, whilst GPs perceived that medications were more effective in patients they considered at highest cardiovascular risk, patients with uncontrolled risk factors, or where adherence to healthy behaviours was poor. Among patients we found a negative perception of the effort required to adhere to healthy behaviours and possible underestimation of their future cardiovascular risk. Patients valued support from peers and family. This study opens up avenues for investigation in further research, including whether patient adherence to healthy behaviours may be enhanced by the exploration of their perceptions about behaviour effectiveness, barriers and cardiovascular risk and by GP facilitation of practical supports.

Item ID: 18044
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1836-7399
Keywords: behaviour modification, general practice, secondary prevention, qualitative
Funders: Pfizer
Date Deposited: 18 Aug 2011 01:29
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111717 Primary Health Care @ 50%
11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111716 Preventive Medicine @ 30%
11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1102 Cardiovascular Medicine and Haematology > 110201 Cardiology (incl Cardiovascular Diseases) @ 20%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920103 Cardiovascular System and Diseases @ 50%
92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920412 Preventive Medicine @ 50%
Downloads: Total: 3
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page