Table 1.
Characteristics of practices and patients at baseline. Values are numbers (percentages) unless stated otherwise
| Characteristics | Intervention | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Practice factors | ||
| No of practices | 24 | 24 |
| Practice size: | ||
| <2 whole time equivalents | 9 (47) | 10 (53) |
| ≥2 whole time equivalents | 15 (52) | 14 (48) |
| Region: | ||
| Northern Ireland | 8 (33) | 8 (33) |
| Republic of Ireland | 16 (67) | 16 (67) |
| Patient factors | ||
| No of patients | 444 | 459 |
| Mean (SD) age (years) | 68.5 (9.3) | 66.5 (9.9) |
| Men | 311 (70) | 320 (70) |
| Mean (SD) years since diagnosis of coronary heart disease | 8.3 (6.6) | 8.2 (6.5) |
| Myocardial infarction | 220 (50) | 233 (51) |
| Angina | 390 (88) | 414 (90) |
| Diabetes | 78 (17.6) | 82 (17.9) |
| Coronary artery bypass grafting | 114 (25.7) | 124 (27.1) |
| Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty | 126 (28.4) | 149 (32.6) |
| Eligible for General Medical Services scheme* | 234 (82.4) | 218 (73.4) |
| Married | 288 (67) | 315 (70) |
| Manual occupation | 134 (42) | 172 (51) |
| Completed secondary education | 179 (42) | 145 (33) |
*Republic of Ireland only.