RICO: RIsk COmmunication in NHS Health Checks_v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Qualitative video-stimulated recall study to explore cardiovascular disease risk communication in NHS Health Checks using QRISK2 10-year risk and JBS3 lifetime risk calculators
IRAS ID
223648
Contact name
Christopher Gidlow
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Staffordshire University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
10443908, ISRCTN
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 5 months, 18 days
Research summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) relates to conditions of the heart and blood vessels, including heart disease and stroke. CVD accounts for over a quarter of UK deaths, yet the development of it can be reduced (e.g., by stopping smoking).
In 2009 the NHS Health Check programme was launched to reduce CVD in England. This national programme invites people to have their CVD risk measured in general practice, usually by a practice nurse (PN) or healthcare assistant (HCA). If required, advice is also given on how to reduce the risk. The value of Health Checks is likely to depend on how well PNs and HCAs understand and communicate CVD risk to patients.
This research will explore how PNs and HCAs use two different ways of measuring CVD risk in Health Checks:
1. QRISK2 is a percentage risk of developing CVD in the next 10 years, currently used in most general practices. However this is often misunderstood by PNs/HCAs and patients.
2. JBS3 Risk Calculator is a new tool measuring ‘lifetime’ risk with different functions and displays to make it easier for PNs and HCAs to understand and explain CVD risk to patients.
To reach conclusions about use of QRISK2 and JBS3 in Health Checks, 12 general practices will have Health Checks video-recorded; half using QRISK2 and half using JBS3. We will then carry out:
• Analysis of the video-recorded Health Checks, looking for sections that relate to CVD risk (e.g., time spent discussing risk)
• More detailed analysis of PN/HCA-patient interactions and responses during Health Checks, considering both verbal and non-verbal (i.e., body language) communication
• Interviews with patients and PNs/HCAs after Health Checks, using video clips to encourage reflection on their thoughts and feelings
• A review of patient records to see what (if any) actions took place after the Health Check (e.g., referrals, medication).REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1463
Date of REC Opinion
11 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion