Perceptions of family history across common diseases: A qualitative study in primary care

Abstract

Background. Having an affected relative is a strong predictor of an individual's lifetime risk of developing many diseases. In primary care this is of importance in preventive healthcare. Aim. To compare and contrast perceptions of family history across common diseases among primary care patients using the theoretical framework of Leventhal's Common Sense Model (CSM). Methods. Thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients identified in general practice, who had a family history of either cancer, heart disease or diabetes. We performed qualitative constant comparative analysis of transcript data. Results. People with a family history of cancer had a greater sense of personal ..