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Assessing Utility of a Lifestyle-based Tool in the Clinical Setting as a Primordial Prevention Strategy: The Healthy Heart Score

Buls, Samantha
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1534587822628017

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Food and Nutrition Sciences (Health Sciences and Professions).
Created and validated by a team at the Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, the Healthy Heart Score is an online risk prediction calculator that determines the user’s 20-year risk for Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) based on nine modifiable lifestyle factors including smoking habits, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol consumption and a diet score that takes into consideration consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, red and processed meats, and sugar sweetened beverages. Previous epidemiological research has shown that CVD risk determined by the Healthy Heart Score is correlated to the development of related clinical risk factors, although it remained unknown if the tool could be used in the primary care setting as a primordial prevention strategy to stimulate the conversation between patient and health care provider about lifestyle modification. We conducted a qualitative study by interviewing health providers and patients to better understand their thoughts and opinions about the Healthy Heart Score risk possible barriers to implementing the tool into the clinical setting with preliminary results presented previously (Buls, Berryman, Beverly, & Sotos-Prieto, 2018). In the current study, a purposive sample of 20 people (i.e., “patients”) with no self-reported CVD diagnoses (mean age = 33, 70% female) and 20 health care providers (20% physician/ physician assistant, 35% nurse, and 45% dietitian) completed the risk assessment took and participated in semi-structured interviews where they answered questions about CVD primordial prevention, their opinions of the tool, and thoughts on utility in the clinical setting. All interviews were transcribed verbatim. Three researchers independently coded the interviews, discussed codes to resolve any inconsistencies, and agreed on common themes. All participants suggested ways to modify the tool such as adding graphics for visual reference of serving size, and the best ways to utilize the tool with the most common idea being “use in the waiting room. Patients in particular showed interest in learning more about CVD primordial prevention and many said they would take the Healthy Heart Score prior to seeing their primary care provider. Providers said they would be willing to recommend the tool to their patients and use it in their practice. Providers stated few possible barriers to using the tool yet mentioned many barriers that they had experience when using general primordial prevention strategies. Our findings support the use of the Healthy Heart Score as a CVD primordial prevention tool in the primary care setting. Additional research is warranted to provide a deeper insight into how the tool may impact modifiable behavior change if used in the primary care setting.
Mercedes Sotos Prieto, PhD (Committee Chair)
Darlene Berryman, PhD (Committee Member)
Elizabeth Beverly, PhD (Committee Member)
Robert Brannan, PhD (Committee Member)
134 p.
Nutrition
Assessment; Lifestyle-based; Primordial Prevention

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Buls, S. (2018). Assessing Utility of a Lifestyle-based Tool in the Clinical Setting as a Primordial Prevention Strategy: The Healthy Heart Score [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1534587822628017

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Buls, Samantha. Assessing Utility of a Lifestyle-based Tool in the Clinical Setting as a Primordial Prevention Strategy: The Healthy Heart Score. 2018. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1534587822628017.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Buls, Samantha. "Assessing Utility of a Lifestyle-based Tool in the Clinical Setting as a Primordial Prevention Strategy: The Healthy Heart Score." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1534587822628017

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1534587822628017
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.