Chris - Interview 16

Age at interview: 70

Brief Outline: Chris was invited to take part in screening for unrecognised heart valve disease when he attended a check-up at his GP surgery. The screening found that he had a small leak in one of his heart valves.

Background: Chris is a retired book keeper. He is married and has five children aged between 23 and 44 years old. Ethnic background/nationality' British.

More about me...

Chris decided to take part in screening for unrecognised heart valve disease when his GP gave him some information about the study. He made an appointment with the receptionist at the surgery to go for screening in a few weeks time. He described the fifteen minute appointment as “straightforward”. 

 

The results of the screening showed that he had a “slight leak in one of his valves”, but the staff reassured him that this was “nothing to worry about”. Although he did not have any symptoms that pointed to heart valve problems, Chris was not surprised by the diagnosis as he was approaching 70. He thinks some problems are to be expected and said, “Your body wears out after a time”.

 

After the initial screening, Chris was invited to attend a follow-up appointment to investigate his heart valve problem further. This appointment was “more involved” and its aim was to “get more information about the condition”. No further problems were uncovered at this point. 

 

Despite having had prostate cancer and an operation to fix a hernia, Chris feels he is quite a healthy person. He eats healthily, plays golf to exercise and does not have to go to the doctor often. He said that his diagnosis of a leaky heart valve does not worry him, but he will possibly speak to his doctor about it if he develops any symptoms that could be attributable to heart problems. 

 

Chris would not mind being in a clinical trial. The important thing is to improve treatment in...

How do you feel about clinical trials?

 

Again positive, I think. You know, I think you have to do these things, you can’t just start handing out something that’s not been tested.

 

And if you had been offered the chance to be in a clinical trial but there was the chance that you wouldn’t get the treatment, how would you have felt about that?

 

I wouldn’t have a problem with that, because again it’s building knowledge you know, it’s helping the science if you like. We all have to, where we can, play our part, I think.

 

Yes, and would you worry about not getting a personal benefit from it?

 

No, not, I mean, no, because I’m sure if, it could well be that out of the, the tests and so on, they may have come up with another way of treating the illness. So, I suppose you could say it’s the luck of the day whether you get treatment or not. That’s the way it goes. You know, the health service has, this is a bit of my personal opinions now. The health service has a big budget, but it’s still not enough. It probably never would be. I think most people now, or a lot of people, treat it as a nanny state. They just... rely on doctors and hospitals and GP’s and so on. Just at the drop of a hat they think they can just go in and get treated for something - cut fingers and things like that, you know. I play golf with a guy who works for the National Health Service, 999 on the emergency service, and the calls they get are incredible. You know, “I’ve cut my finger”. “Well put a plaster on it then, we’re not going to send an ambulance out”. So I think there’s too much reliance on the State to solve really basic problems. 

Chris remembers the questionnaires at the first screening appointment being very simple to complete.

Did they ask you about your general health, did they ask you about your previous illnesses or did they take your blood pressure or…?

 

They took my blood pressure. I don’t think they asked me about my previous illnesses, no, not that I can remember.

 

And did they ask you to fill in any questionnaires?

 

Not at the hospital. They did at the surgery. Sort of a less detailed version of what we’re doing now really. Was it all right? You know, did I enjoy taking part? Those sort of questions.

 

Yes, and what did you think about that questionnaire?

 

Straightforward, quick to fill in. So I think from what I remember they were tick boxes mainly. And, it wasn’t too detailed, you know, it was really just getting a general impression of what I felt at the way it had been handled. 

Chris was not worried by his results. You expect to have some minor health problems as you get...

And what about the person who did the screening?

 

Explained what the purpose was. And made me feel at rest and it was all explained and no problem at all really. I just did what I was asked.

 

And then were you given the results on the day?

 

Yes, I was told, well I was told I had a slight leak in one of my valves, yes, but nothing to worry about.

 

And how did you feel when you were given that diagnosis?

 

All right, yes. I’m a pretty healthy person anyway. So there was nothing serious there, it was just a minor leak, which really can be ignored.

 

And obviously the person on the day told you it was nothing to worry about?

 

Yes.

 

And I mean did you believe them or did you feel that you wanted further confirmation?

 

No I believed them, yes.

 

Okay.

 

But I was told then they’d like me to go to the [local hospital] for a further examination.

 

And when you initially signed up to do this screening, did you suspect there was anything wrong?

 

No.

 

Okay and were you surprised then when you were told there was something?

 

Well given that I was 70 or approaching 70, no not really. I mean your body wears out after a time.

 

So you sort of expect things to…?

 

Well, well maybe, maybe not, you know. I mean I don’t have any physical signs that I’ve got anything wrong with me in that way. I live a fairly, well I lead an active life. So, I play golf three times a week and go walking. So I’ve never had any problems about breathlessness or anything like that. 

Chris knew he didn't need treatment and thought the follow up appointment was more about...

And did you get the impression, I mean what did you think their reason for following you up was?

 

Well although it didn’t need treatment, I think it was really just, really to get more information about the condition. And obviously the more information they get the better it is for them, for the people, undertaking the study.

 

And did they give you a further diagnosis at that stage?

 

No. Well they said it’s what you’ve been told already is correct, and there’s nothing to worry about. There was no further, I think there was no further evidence was found of any bad condition.

 

Okay and how did you feel then after that?

 

Alright. I’m very relaxed about these things.  

If he had private health insurance Chris would have an annual health check. It's good to find out...

And why would you say you took part in the screening?

 

There’s no harm in having medical tests.

 

Sorry.

 

There’s no harm in having medical tests. You know, if I had private health insurance I would probably go for an annual check up. But I don’t and it costs a lot of money to do it, particularly when you’re retired. And I always have been in pretty good health so it’s not such a worry. But, you know, if there’s the opportunity why not? Why not use the opportunity?

 

Did you see it as sort of reassuring? Or the chance to find out something was wrong?

 

Yes, yes. The chance to find out something, yes, and also I guess it’s reassuring to know all your valves are working properly. 

Chris thinks the screening programme is great provided it is cost-efficient, which it seems to be.

In general if you could give a message to people who were thinking about going to have screening or had been invited to do it, what would you tell them?

 

Do it. Simple as that. Why not? It can only be positive. Even though the results might be bad, but that’s a positive thing in itself.

 

Why would you think that’s positive?

 

Because people could be walking round with a problem and not realise it. Then they could get it treated if it’s treatable. I’m not sure whether it is. But why not know? Why not take the opportunity to find out something that may be wrong?

 

And do you have any messages for the health professionals, who were involved in the screening?

 

I think it’s a good thing. As long as it doesn’t take up too much money and given how long it takes, it’s probably quite quick and therefore it’s probably cost efficient. So I think they’re doing a good job. 

Chris eats sensibly and keeps active, but he doesn't bother with flu jabs and is not one to rush...

And so would you describe yourself as quite an active healthy person?

 

Yes.

 

And what about your attitude towards your health in general?

 

I keep healthy, eat sensibly. Don’t take pills, unless I have to. I don’t have flu jabs, things like that. I let the body do its own defence mechanism.

 

And why is that the approach you take?

 

Because I think it’s more healthy, and you know, I very rarely get colds, very rarely get colds. I don’t get flu. On the odd occasion I may get it, but I will just let it take its course.

 

Okay and if you had, if you did feel there was something wrong would you be the kind of person who would rush straight to the doctor or would you wait and see what happens?

 

No. I’d wait and see. Very much so yes.

 

Yes. okay.

 

I mean I don’t know whether it’s relevant, but I’ve got a, I have a bad hip now, which is giving me pain, so, but I’ve had that for maybe six months, nine months before I’ve actually gone to the hospital or gone to the doctors.

 

So do you feel you manage your health quite well?

 

Yes, I think so. Yes.

 

Okay.

 

I mean I think at 70 I can walk round the golf course without any problems, now that I’ve got the painkillers – it was a bit of a hobble before. Do hill walking, swimming. So I’m a pretty active person, yes.

 

Okay and when you were given a diagnosis about a slight leak in your heart valve.

 

Yes.

 

Did you worry then that you might have to take some treatment?

 

No because I was reassured that it wasn’t necessary. It was so small that it didn’t warrant any treatment at all.