ArticleBMC family practice2015
Be SMART: examining the experience of implementing the NHS Health Check in UK primary care.
Article in BMC family practice, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 21 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
21 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 213 citations in OpenAlex.
- Identifying the active components through the behaviour change techniques taxonomy in complex interventions for people living with multiple long-term health conditions: A systematic review.British journal of health psychology · 2025Pooled it
- Stakeholders' perceptions and experiences of factors influencing the commissioning, delivery, and uptake of general health checks: a qualitative evidence synthesis.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2025Pooled it
- Influences on NHS Health Check behaviours: a systematic review.BMC public health · 2020Pooled it
- Views of commissioners, managers and healthcare professionals on the NHS Health Check programme: a systematic review.BMJ open · 2017Pooled it
- Patient experience of NHS health checks: a systematic review and qualitative synthesis.BMJ open · 2017Pooled it
- Improving cardiovascular disease risk communication in NHS Health Checks: a qualitative study.BMJ open · 2019Trial
- Article
- Implementation of a SMART-based infection control plan in an emergency intensive care unit: a prospective study.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Journal Club Is a Good Start, But More Can Be Done.Medical science educator · 2025Article
- The digitized chronic disease management model: scalable strategies for implementing standardized healthcare and big data analytics in Shanghai.Frontiers in big data · 2023Article
- The NHS Health Check programme: a survey of programme delivery in England before and after the Covid-19 pandemic response.NIHR open research · 2023Article
- Understanding Motivation to Adhere to Guidelines for Alcohol Intake, Physical Activity, and Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among U.K. University Students.Health education & behavior : the official publication of the Society for Public Health Education · 2021Article
- Health Risk Assessments in Michigan's Medicaid Expansion: Early Experiences in Primary Care.American journal of preventive medicine · 2020Article
- Perspectives on Using Online Platforms for Promoting Running and Walking Activities.Frontiers in public health · 2020Article
- Patient experiences of telephone outreach to enhance uptake of NHS Health Checks in more deprived communities and minority ethnic groups: A qualitative interview study.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2019Article
- Implementing multiple health behaviour change interventions for cardiovascular risk reduction in primary care: a qualitative study.BMC family practice · 2018Article
- Understanding frailty: a qualitative study of European healthcare policy-makers' approaches to frailty screening and management.BMJ open · 2018Article
- Strategies for practitioners to support patients in plant-based eating.Journal of geriatric cardiology : JGC · 2017Article
- Article
- GPs' perspectives on managing the NHS Health Check in primary care: a qualitative evaluation of implementation in one area of England.BMJ open · 2016Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe NHS Health Check was designed by UK Department of Health to address increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease by identifying risk levels and facilitating behaviour change. It constituted biomedical testing, personalised advice and lifestyle support. The objective of the study was to explore Health Care Professionals' (HCPs) and patients' experiences of delivering and receiving the NHS Health Check in an inner-city region of England.
methodsPatients and HCPs in primary care were interviewed using semi-structured schedules. Data were analysed using Thematic Analysis.
resultsFour themes were identified. Firstly, Health Check as a test of 'roadworthiness' for people. The roadworthiness metaphor resonated with some patients but it signified a passive stance toward illness. Some patients described the check as useful in the theme, Health check as revelatory. HCPs found visual aids demonstrating levels of salt/fat/sugar in everyday foods and a 'traffic light' tape measure helpful in communicating such 'revelations' with patients. Being SMART and following the protocolrevealed that few HCPs used SMART goals and few patients spoke of them. HCPs require training to understand their rationale compared with traditional advice-giving. The need for further follow-up revealed disparity in follow-ups and patients were not systematically monitored over time.
conclusionsHCPs' training needs to include the use and evidence of the effectiveness of SMART goals in changing health behaviours. The significance of fidelity to protocol needs to be communicated to HCPs and commissioners to ensure consistency. Monitoring and measurement of follow-up, e.g., tracking of referrals, need to be resourced to provide evidence of the success of the NHS Health Check in terms of healthier lifestyles and reduced CVD risk.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.