A McMahon1, M Hodgins, C C Kelleher. 1. Department of Health Promotion, National University of Ireland, Galway. margaret.hodgins@nuigalway.ie
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To assess the feasibility of offering health promotion and preventive medicine initiatives in primary care. AIMS: A pilot study aimed at men in general practice to establish the uptake, acceptability and effectiveness of interventions in health initiatives. METHODS:One thousand men aged 18-65 were selected at random from five general practices in the Western Health Board area. Practices were randomly allocated to one of four brief interventions: cardiovascular screening, cancer screening, stress management or general lifestyle advice. RESULTS: Fifty-five per cent of men responded, with 35.7% actually attending. There were minor but significant short-term changes in health status and behaviours. Participants expressed high levels of satisfaction, but tended to prefer interventions with an explicit clinical component. CONCLUSION: It is at least as feasible to offer health promotion for men in primary care as it is for other demographic groups, but adequate training and resources are required.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: To assess the feasibility of offering health promotion and preventive medicine initiatives in primary care. AIMS: A pilot study aimed at men in general practice to establish the uptake, acceptability and effectiveness of interventions in health initiatives. METHODS: One thousand men aged 18-65 were selected at random from five general practices in the Western Health Board area. Practices were randomly allocated to one of four brief interventions: cardiovascular screening, cancer screening, stress management or general lifestyle advice. RESULTS: Fifty-five per cent of men responded, with 35.7% actually attending. There were minor but significant short-term changes in health status and behaviours. Participants expressed high levels of satisfaction, but tended to prefer interventions with an explicit clinical component. CONCLUSION: It is at least as feasible to offer health promotion for men in primary care as it is for other demographic groups, but adequate training and resources are required.