PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF ATTITUDES TO, AND FACTORS AFFECTING PERCEIVED SUCCESS OR FAILURE AMONG ADULTS ATTENDING A HOSPITAL LIPID CLINIC

A questionnaire for self-completion was given to 40 patients attending follow up appointments at the Lipid Clinic at Hope Hospital, over an 8 week period. The questions were designed to assess the importance placed by patients on both blood cholesterol levels and diet, and the patients' perceived ability to comply with the lipid lowering diet. Opportunity was given for patients to comment on services offered, and to suggest improvements. Most patients appeared well motivated (although some by fear) and believed that changes in diet are effective, and perceived that they followed the dietary advice 'quite well'. Many patients thought in terms of 'good' and 'bad' foods, and 'sticking to the diet'. This was shown by comments of feeling deprived of favourite foods and being 'forced' to eat boring or unpopular foods. Recommendations are made that instead of focusing on motivation or compliance, health professionals should facilitate behaviour change by identifying obstacles to compliance and enabling patients to set their own dietary targets and self-monitor their diets.