The SPHERE Study – secondary prevention of heart disease in general practice: randomised controlled trial

Patients with established cardio-vascular disease were identified in 45 participating GP practices over the island of Ireland.  The practices were randomised to intervention or control groups.  Baseline biophysical data were collected on both groups.  A patient and practice-based intervention was designed and delivered with parallel economic and qualitative evaluations. Data were collected again on both groups at 18 months to measure the effectiveness of the intervention.