Stage | Strategy group(N) | Standard method group (N) | Practices involved | Procedure | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard method | Invitation letter for online RS by post, after 2 weeks reminder letter + paper version RS by post. A short recap in English, Turkish and Arab in both letters. | ||||
1. Invitation and/or reminders by e-mail | Stage 1 | 328 (patients with known e-mail address) | 124 (patients with known e-mail address) | 2 | Group a (N = 124): comparison group (standard method)Group b (N = 105): invitation by post and a reminder by e-mail; Group c (N = 117): invitation by e-mail and a reminder by post; Group d (N = 106): invitation and reminder by e-mail. |
2. Translated RS form | Stage 1 | 4604 | N/A | 10 | Translated versions of the RS form in English, Turkish and Arab were added to the reminder letter. |
3. Extended information letter | Stage 1 | 337 | 337 | 1 | Extension of the information letter emphasizing the importance of participating and uncovering CMD and risk factors. |
4. Local media attention | Stage 1 | 381 | 232 | 2 | Articles about the prevention program and the importance of participating were placed in local newspapers. |
5. Reminder by SMS | Stage 1 + 2 | 73 (patients with known mobile number) | 194 | 2 | Four weeks after the paper invitation the GP sent SMS text reminders to patients with a known mobile number, inviting patients to fill in the RS and to make an appointment when this was advised. |
6. Reminder by telephone | Stage 1 + 2 | 34 (random sample) | N/A | 1 | Practice assistant called the patients after 4 weeks to inform if the RS was filled in and to offer an appointment when the patients this was advised. |
7. Pop-up reminder GP in computer system | Stage 1 + 2 | 341 | 340 | 2 | A pop-up message would appear in the computer system of the GP if the patient file was opened. The GP could inform the patient about the RS during a regular consultation. |
8. Information gathering at the general practice | Stage 1 + 2 | 545 | N/A | 2 | The GP practice organized an information gathering to help patients fill in the RS and/or to offer additional measures at the general practice. Invitation through invitation letter with recap translated in English, Turkish and Arab. |
9. Self-management toolkits | Stage 2 | 174 (patients with high score on RS) | N/A | 6 | We offered patients a free toolkit containing a blood pressure device and fingerstick for cholesterol and Hba1c. Patients received online tailored lifestyle advice and were advised to consult their GP if increased blood pressure and/or elevated serum levels were measured. |
10. E-mail reminder increased risk patients | Stage 2 | 112 patients with high score on RS | 127 patients with high score on RS | 4 | We sent patients a reminder by e-mail to contact their GP for an appointment. |