Maybe as a GP I should have considered more the types and effects of treatments as well as the methods of screening. Some drugs cause side effects as was shown by the first national screening trials in the 1980s. Lifestyle changes if successful cause less side effects and also reduce other cardiovascular heart problems as well as supporting climate chain goals. BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL VOLUME 291 13 JULY 1985
I used to feel tempted to tell patients that as a family doctor I could not shop for patients or their children, cook their meals nor spend their money for them. Markets and trade arranged those aspects of their lives selling instant gratification more easily that deferred gratification (Tobacco, alcohol, sugar, salt) and that the patients should be wary of how they spent their money. After the publication of the results of the mid 1980’s Medical Research Council trials on screening for and treating high blood pressure [https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/291/6488/97.full.pdf], we also felt that self-management of blood pressure detection and self-preventative measures were as important as medically led ones.
HIFA profile: Richard Fitton is a retired family doctor - GP. Professional interests: Health literacy, patient partnership of trust and implementation of healthcare with professionals, family and public involvement in the prevention of modern lifestyle diseases, patients using access to professional records to overcome confidentiality barriers to care, patients as part of the policing of the use of their patient data. Email address: richardpeterfitton7 AT gmail.com
