Table 3.

Possible factors influencing patients’ choices when considering an NHSHC

Motivators	Barriers
MOT a	Not a priority
better to find out	too busy
reassurance	perceives healthy lifestyle/no health worries
aware health can deteriorate with age	avoids thinking about health
Proactive towards health	Recent monitoring
happy to receive advice	other conditions regularly monitored
chance to change lifestyle	blood pressure/cholesterol recently checked
prevention better than cure
Other health problems	Misunderstanding NHSHC
not feeling well	did not receive invitation
get treatment/results for other conditions	misread letter/information sheet
recommended by a health professional	only available for limited time
NHS provisions	Negative view of NHSHC
accept everything offered	bad experience of someone else
must be a reason for invitation	fear of outcome
	being told off or mollycoddled
	Relationship with GP practice
	perceived wasting Dr/nurse’s time
	difficulty arranging appointment
	good not to go to GPs

^aMOT refers to the annual test legally required in the UK to check that a car conforms to regulations governing safety and emissions.