Objectives: This study explored Danish men's experience of participating in a screening program for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and their perceptions of preventive medication for CVD before and after participation in the screening program.
Methods: An exploratory phenomenological-hermeneutical study. Fifteen men from a cardiovascular screening program for men aged 65-74 years participated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted before screening and one year later (2015-2017). The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Kvale and Brinkmann's approach to data analysis.
Results: Two main themes were identified: (i) seeking confirmation and control of health: familiarity with CVD; understanding the screening program; confirmation of health; perception of preventive medication, and (ii) sense of own health and prevention: experiences with the screening program; accept or denial of diagnosis and preventive medication.
Conclusion: A minority of the men understood the nature of the diseases for which they were being examined. The invitation for screening and the outcome of the examinations must be communicated more skilfully. The health providers need to engage early in treatment after the screening and provide an individualised plan that addresses patients concerns and knowledge based on their needs.
Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; Interviews; Medication adherence; Screening.
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