Do NHS Health Checks support those who are physically inactive?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study to investigate the extent to which NHS Health Checks in Bury are utilised to support behaviour change in those who are physically inactive
IRAS ID
259812
Contact name
Alexandra Clarke-Cornwell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Salford
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
HST1819-159, University of Salford Ethics Committee application number
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study forms part of the dissertation module for a Masters in Public Health at the University of Salford. The proposed study has been through the university's ethics process - REF HST1819-159.
The aim of this study is to investigate the extent to which the National Health Service (NHS) Health Check (NHS, 2017), carried out in Bury (Greater Manchester), is utilised to deliver brief interventions to support behaviour change in those who are physically inactive (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2013; NICE, 2014). A brief intervention is defined as a ‘discussion, negotiation or encouragement, with or without written or other support or follow-up’ (NICE, 2018); for example, signposting a patient to a range of lifestyle services, to support them in becoming more physically active.
The NHS Health Check is a national risk assessment, awareness and management programme aimed at preventing cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease in those aged between 40-74 years old (NHS England, 2014a). The delivery of brief interventions to those who do not meet the physical activity guidelines is recommended in the health check best practice guidance (Department of Health [DH], 2011; NHS, 2017).
This mixed-methods study will explore, as part of the NHS Health Check, any barriers or facilitators to: assessing physical activity levels, delivering brief advice, signposting to support services or data collection in relation to these processes (NICE, 2013). It will also seek to gain a greater understanding of the patient’s perception of how any interventions or recommended signposting is received, and whether these have influenced any behaviour change in relation to becoming more physically active.
The main part of the study will be qualitative, with the researcher undertaking semi-structured interviews. These will either be face to face, telephone or via Skype (in the case of Health Care Assistants).
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/SW/0049
Date of REC Opinion
26 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion