The perceived impact of the National Health Service on personalised nutrition service delivery among the UK public

Fallaize, R., Macready, A. L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0368-9336, Butler, L. T., Ellis, J. A., Berezowska, A., Fischer, A. R. H., Walsch, M. C., Gallagher, C., Stewart-Knox, B. J., Kuznesof, S., Frewer, L. J., Gibney, M. J. and Lovegrove, J. A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7633-9455 (2015) The perceived impact of the National Health Service on personalised nutrition service delivery among the UK public. British Journal of Nutrition, 113 (8). pp. 1271-1279. ISSN 0007-1145 doi: 10.1017/S0007114515000045

Abstract/Summary

Personalised nutrition (PN) has the potential to reduce disease risk and optimise health and performance. Although previous research has shown good acceptance of the concept of PN in the UK, preferences regarding the delivery of a PN service (e.g. online v. face-to-face) are not fully understood. It is anticipated that the presence of a free at point of delivery healthcare system, the National Health Service (NHS), in the UK may have an impact on end-user preferences for deliverances. To determine this, supplementary analysis of qualitative data obtained from focus group discussions on PN service delivery, collected as part of the Food4Me project in the UK and Ireland, was undertaken. Irish data provided comparative analysis of a healthcare system that is not provided free of charge at the point of delivery to the entire population. Analyses were conducted using the 'framework approach' described by Rabiee (Focus-group interview and data analysis. Proc Nutr Soc 63, 655-660). There was a preference for services to be led by the government and delivered face-to-face, which was perceived to increase trust and transparency, and add value. Both countries associated paying for nutritional advice with increased commitment and motivation to follow guidelines. Contrary to Ireland, however, and despite the perceived benefit of paying, UK discussants still expected PN services to be delivered free of charge by the NHS. Consideration of this unique challenge of free healthcare that is embedded in the NHS culture will be crucial when introducing PN to the UK.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/39955
Identification Number/DOI	10.1017/S0007114515000045
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research (ICMR) Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences > Human Nutrition Research Group
Uncontrolled Keywords	Personalised nutrition; National Health Service; Disease prevention; Nutrigenomics; Focus groups
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
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