Effectiveness of two preventive interventions for coronary heart disease in primary care.
OBJECTIVE
1. To compare a patient-centred, self-directive intervention with conventional care; 2. To evaluate longitudinal within-group changes of coronary heart disease risk.


METHODS
Risk factor changes were evaluated in 110 men with high coronary heart disease risk attending a one year intervention study in general practice. The 22 participating general practice centres were randomly allocated to follow either a patient-centred, self-directive intervention or a conventional approach.


RESULTS
No significant between-group differences were found in any single risk factor or in the combined risk of coronary heart disease. The improvement of total risk from screening time to conclusion of the study corresponded with changes of relative risks of CHD to 0.64 (95% CI: 0.54-0.77) and 0.65 (0.54-0.77) in the patient-centred, self-directive and the conventional care group respectively (p < 0.0001 in both groups).


CONCLUSIONS
Everyday general practice clinical work seems as efficacious as a specific intervention method based on currently advocated behaviour change principles.
Meland
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E
Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Norway.
Laerum
E
E
Ulvik
R J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet; D005194:Family Practice; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D012306:Risk; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects