Pumping up the pressure: A qualitative evaluation of a workplace health promotion initiative for male employees

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a workplace health promotion initiative.

Design Blood pressure screening was taken into the workplace setting for all staff members who wished to take part. Male participants were then invited to take part in a qualitative evaluation of the initiative. Setting The evaluation was undertaken in various work locations of an acute NHS Hospital Trust.

Method One-to-one semi-structured interviews took place with 14 men in order to examine the men's perceptions of their experience, to evaluate the impact of blood pressure screening in the workplace on men's health decision-making processes, and to identify ways in which health interventions can be improved and developed. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim and the analysis of the data was undertaken manually using thematic analysis.

Results The key themes emerging were issues relating to convenience of location, health decision-making processes, beneficial outcomes for participants and the organisation, perceptions of the health professional, expectations surrounding the Occupational Health Department and the men's knowledge and awareness of blood pressure testing.

Conclusion The men liked the convenience of the workplace location and the forum this created for discussion of other health issues with a health professional, who they respected. The men held a variety of expectations in terms of what the Occupational Health department could offer, and indeed, the need for clarification of this emerged as a key aspect for future service development.