Key result
AAA screening programme staff viewed the proposed addition of peripheral arterial disease and high blood pressure screening to existing AAA screening as a positive development, despite concerns about resources and follow-up.
Why the study?
Peripheral arterial disease and high blood pressure are underdiagnosed, and NHS abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programmes offer an opportunity to screen for these conditions.
AAA screening staff view the addition of PAD and BP screening as a positive opportunity to improve cardiovascular health outcomes, provided that adequate resources, clear staff responsibilities, and robust patient follow-up pathways are established.
Staff endorsement supports evaluating integrated screening in AAA programs; leaves open feasibility without addressing resource and follow-up barriers.
BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is a major contributor to poor health in the UK and the leading cause of death in England. Peripheral arterial disease and high blood pressure are conditions that identify individuals at high cardiovascular disease risk, likely to benefit from cardiovascular risk management. Both conditions remain considerably underdiagnosed and untreated. The National Health Service abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening programmes represent an opportunity to screen for these conditions with potentially minimal additional effort or cost. We explored AAA screening programme staff views on the proposed introduction of such additional screening within AAA screening. METHODS: Nine focus groups and seven follow-on interviews were undertaken with 38 AAA screening staff. Our study methods were oriented broadly towards a grounded theory methodology, and data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes were identified: (i) 'Perceptions of patient experience and health-related outcomes', (ii) 'Opportunities and challenges for programme staff', and (iii) 'Maintaining and improving programme standards'. Staff talked about the high uptake of AAA screening, staff experience and skills in their role, and the programme's high quality standards as both opportunities and potential challenges linked to the proposed additions to AAA screening. While positive about the potential to improve patients' health outcomes, participants had questions about the practicalities of incorporating additional procedures within their time- and resource-constrained context, and how this may reconfigure work processes, roles and relationships. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed additions to the programme require taking staff's views into account. Key areas that need to be addressed relate to ensuring follow-up support for patients, clarity around staff responsibilities, and availability of sufficient resources for the programme.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Zubair et al. (2022) studied Cardiovascular health screening implementation (n=38). Multi-component cardiovascular health screening (PAD and high BP) was evaluated on Staff views on introducing additional screening. AAA screening programme staff viewed the proposed addition of peripheral arterial disease and high blood pressure screening to existing AAA screening as a positive development, despite concerns about resources and follow-up.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: