Patients' opinions on health counseling in the Hartslag Limburg cardiovascular prevention project: perceived quality, satisfaction, and normative concerns.

OBJECTIVE

To assess patients' opinions on a new service in the Dutch health care system, viz., health counseling about behavioral risks and possible lifestyle changes. This was introduced within the framework of the Hartslag Limburg prevention project and was offered to patients at high risk of cardiovascular diseases.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey to measure quality, satisfaction, and normative concerns. Questionnaires were distributed among 1,301 patients after they had completed the counseling and returned by 1,056 of them (response rate 81.2%).

RESULTS

Patients generally reported rather high levels of quality and satisfaction. They regarded the service as a welcome addition to usual care. However, the accompanying effect studies will have to provide more solid evidence for the effectiveness of the counseling.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that the service was highly acceptable to the patients, but that the health advisors should be careful not to induce less favorable normative concerns.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

A quality and satisfaction survey should consist of well-validated instruments, context-specific items, and qualitative measures as well.