Experiences from individuals with increased cardiovascular risk participating in a one-year lifestyle program

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study was to describe the participants' experiences of a structured lifestyle program for persons with high cardiovascular risk. METHOD: Sixteen participants with high cardiovascular risk participating in a one-year structured lifestyle intervention program were interviewed regarding their experiences of the program. The interviews were analyzed using content analyses. RESULTS: The participants' (mean age 58 ± 9) experiences were categorized into three categories: "How to know," based on the participants' experience from both individual counselling and group sessions with tools to strengthen self-care; "Staff who know how," based on experience from the meeting with, and the importance of, competent health professionals; "Why feedback is essential," based on the participants' experience and effects of person-centered feedback. Several factors were deemed important in the structure of the program: an individual visit with shared goal setting, a group education session with interactive discussion, a competent, educated, and respectful health professional who gives continuous feedback, and the right tools to support self-care at home between visits. CONCLUSION: Individuals participating in a structured lifestyle program experienced several factors as important: an individual visit with shared goal setting, a group education session with interactive discussion, a competent, educated, and respectful healthcare professional who gives continuous feedback, and the right tools to support self-care at home between visits.