Individuals' responses to global CHD risk: a focus group study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore how individuals respond to global coronary heart disease (CHD) risk and use it in combination with treatment information to make decisions to initiate and maintain risk reducing strategies. METHODS: We conducted four focus groups of individuals at risk for CHD (n=29), purposively sampling individuals with each of several risk factors. Two reviewers coded verbatim transcripts and arbitrated differences, using ATLAS.ti 5.2 to facilitate analysis. RESULTS: Participants generally regarded the concept of global CHD risk as useful and motivating, although had questions about its precision and comprehensiveness. They identified several additional influential factors in decision-making (e.g. achievable risk, the quickness and self-evidence of results) and generally preferred lifestyle changes to medications (although most would accept medications under certain circumstances). They also noted the importance of participating in decision-making. CONCLUSION: Our results underscore the motivating potential of global CHD risk and the importance of patient participation in decision-making. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Global CHD risk is a useful adjunct to CHD prevention and can be presented in ways, and with information, that might improve CHD outcomes.

Duke Scholars

Author Michael Patrick Pignone Medicine, General Internal Medicine