Patients' experience of a nurse-led lifestyle clinic at a Swedish health centre

Background: In Sweden, 56% of the population aged 16-84 have an unhealthy lifestyle. The primary health care (PHC) has been instructed to offer citizens health promotion and disease-preventive actions. Very few studies have been conducted about how individuals experience interventions from the PHC intended to help them to change lifestyle. Aim: The purpose of the study was to explore patients' experiences of visiting a nurse-led lifestyle clinic. Methods: Patients (n = 137), who participated in a screening test at a lifestyle clinic, were invited to focus group interviews. Of these, 14 patients agreed to participate. The data were analysed using content analysis. Results: The patients felt that the visit to the lifestyle clinic gave insight into their habits and diminished their fear of not being healthy. Primary health care was seen as a safe provider in this matter. Disappointment was occasioned by the unfulfilled expectations of blood tests, lack of follow-up visit and inconsistencies of approach during the visit to the lifestyle clinic. Personal chemistry was perceived to be crucial for how the encounter with the public health nurse evolved. Conclusion: Lifestyle clinics can give patients opportunity to change lifestyle and also to confirm the good habits. It may also be important to have follow-up visits to give the patients' support when changing lifestyle. Nurses counselling patients about lifestyle changes need to have recurrent training in Motivational Interviewing.