"Couldn't you have done just as well without the screening?". A qualitative study of benefits from screening as perceived by people without a high cardiovascular risk score.
OBJECTIVE
To explore how individuals whose health screening does not reveal a high cardiovascular risk score (CRS) interpret and respond to this result.


METHODS
Qualitative semi-structured interviews. Purposeful sampling reflected variations in age, gender, and self-rated health within the sample. Analysis and interpretation were informed by the Health Belief Model concerning individuals' cues to act when told there is a health threat, and by Hollnagel and Malterud's theories about personal self-assessed health resources.


METHODS
Participants were recruited among participants without a high cardiovascular risk score in a Danish health-screening project.


METHODS
Seven men and 15 women aged 36-50 years with a low or moderate cardiovascular risk score.


RESULTS
The screening confirmed the participants' feeling of being in good health and they put emphasis on this acquired peace of mind. Participants used the results to eliminate worries and confirm their lifestyle up to now but were aware that the results gave no guarantee that there was nothing the matter elsewhere. Some paid a price for the reassurance since they had to undergo further examinations, had unfulfilled expectations, or were irritated at not being left in peace with their reassurance.


CONCLUSIONS
Screened individuals who were shown not to have a high risk score appear to be reassured and confirmed in their own feeling of being healthy, and to be aware of the limitations of the screening. Consideration should be given to the possible risk of creating either insecurity or over-complacency through population screening.
Nielsen
Karen-Dorthe Bach
KD
The Ebeltoft Health Promotion Project, Ebeltoft, Denmark. karen-dorthe.bach.nielsen@dadlnet.dk
Dyhr
Lise
L
Lauritzen
Torsten
T
Malterud
Kirsti
K
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires