Evaluating a Question Prompt Tool about Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Funding
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Aim
37,000+ Canadian women annually develop hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), particularly women of colour, and are at high risk of developing early cardiovascular disease (CVD). Healthy diet, physical activity and medications can prevent CVD. Many Canadian women do not receive such counselling and said that a list of questions would empower them to self-advocate. We developed a question prompt list (QPL) by synthesizing research on ideal QPT design, and interviewing 42 women with HDP and clinicians (physicians, nurses, midwives) to refine QPL design and cultural appropriateness [BMC Women’s Health 2024;24:597]. In this study, we pilot-tested the feasibility and potential impact of the QPL for HDP.
Key Findings
- Twenty-three women participated: 57% of diverse ethno-cultural groups, 65% <40 years of age and 48% immigrants to Canada [Health Expectation 2024;27:6]
- We shared the QPL with women, instructing them to use it when preparing for their next doctor visit and refer to it during that visit, and assessed feasibility and potential impact after the visit
- Women scored the visit high for person-centred care, meaning that they felt the doctor listened to them and answered their questions
- Women scored moderately for self-efficacy and self-management, meaning that some of them did not feel confident in being able to take action to reduce their CVD risk
- When asked about usefulness of the QPL, most women appreciated QPL design and reported QPL benefits: helped them to prepare for visit and know what to ask; and increased confidence to ask questions, knowledge of the link between HDP and CVD, and lifestyle behaviours to reduce CVD risk
- Most said their doctor was receptive to discussing QPL questions
- Most women said the QPL should be shared directly with women through pre- or peri-natal clinics or classes rather than relying on doctors to share it with them. However, they recommended the QPL also be shared with doctors to ensure that doctors were prepared for discussions
Impact
This study demonstrated the feasibility and potential value of a QPL about HDP for empowering women and encouraging physicians to discuss CVD risk reduction, paving the way for a future trial involving a larger number of women to prove that the QPL improves communication about HDP-related CVD risk reduction.
Information for Clinicians
- Reading list on HDP and heart disease risk: click HERE for the World file
- Question Prompt Tool for HDP: click HERE for the PDF file
- Question Prompt Tool for HDP with answers: click HERE for the PDF file