Physicians' perceptions of their role in cardiovascular risk reduction

Fifty randomly selected family physicians were interviewed to evaluate the role of primary care physicians in the reduction and control of cardiovascular risk in their patients. The interview schedule, developed from the PRECEDE framework, incorporated three categories of factors modifying behavior: predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling. In relation to high blood pressure, elevated serum cholesterol, and smoking, physicians were questioned regarding (a) knowledge and beliefs of desirable practice, (b) perceptions of personal ability, (c) factors that affect their preventive performance, and (d) perceptions of their own role and those of other resources. Physicians believed all three risk factors to be modifiable, and that reduced cardiovascular risk could prolong life and improve quality of life. Participants perceived themselves most effective in reducing high blood pressure, followed by serum cholesterol reduction and smoking cessation. Relationships with patients, patient compliance, personal committment, and belief in the efficacy of risk reduction were most frequently perceived to contribute to effectiveness. Physicians perceived themselves least skilled in enhancing patient compliance and achieving behavior change. Most physicians were committed to cardiovascular disease prevention and saw their own role as central. Contributions of other resources were not well understood. The effect of these complex and interacting perceptions has implications for attempts to enhance physicians' preventive activities.     

Primary care physicians’ screening of adolescent patients: a survey of California physicians

Purpose: To determine how often primary care physicians screen adolescents for important risk factors and to determine how rates of screening vary by physicians' specialty and practice setting, patients' age, and type of risk factor.

Methods: A stratified random sample of 343 California physicians who are Board certified in pediatrics, family practice, or internal medicine, and physicians in these specialties who specialized in adolescent medicine were surveyed about their screening practices using a mailed questionnaire. Subjects were asked the percentage of routine comprehensive physical examination during which they personally queried or screened each age group of adolescents (11-14 years old and 15-18 years old) for each of the following risk factors: high blood pressure, alcohol use, cigarette use, sexual activity, and drug use.

Results: The frequency with which primary care physicians reported actually screening younger and older adolescents for the various risks were approximately: 93% and 96% for high blood pressure, 70% and 84% for alcohol use, 74% and 82% for drug use, 67% and 83% for sexual activity, and 76% and 86% for smoking, respectively. For all risk factors, providers screened older adolescents more frequently than younger adolescents (p < 0.01). Finally, screening rates varied by specialty (p < 0.01) but not by practice setting.

Conclusions: This study found that California physicians frequently screen adolescents for a variety of risk factors. However, the reported rates may not be consistent with published guidelines. Interventions may need to be developed which focus on improving primary care physicians' adolescent-specific screening practices.     

高血压患者血压控制情况及影响因素分析

目的了解高血压患者血压控制情况及其影响因素,为提高高血压控制达标率提供参考依据。方法采用分层整群随机抽样方法在天津市城市行政6区24个社区中抽取的28 518名≥18周岁社区居民进行问卷调查。结果天津市社区居民高血压患病率为27.52%,高血压患者规律服药率为51.51%,规律服药患者血压控制达标率为26.77%;4 042例规律服药患者中,男性的血压控制达标率为25.51%,低于女性的27.75%,差异有统计学意义(χ2=292.031,P=0.000);18～44、45～59、60～74和≥75岁社区居民的血压控制达标率分别为20.51%、24.09%、29.00%和28.12%,差异有统计学意义(χ2=65.880,P=0.000);主成分改进多因素Logistic回归分析结果表明,食盐摄入量>6 g/d、吸烟和饮酒是高血压患者血压控制的危险因素。结论高血压患者戒烟、限酒、降低食盐摄入有利于血压的控制。     

The participation of primary care physicians in integrated health services network: United States experiences

BACKGROUND: Reforms of care and services have affected primary care physicians, but very little attention has been devoted to their actual participation in Integrated Health Services Network (IHSN). METHODS: From a literature review of articles published from January 1985 to December 2006, we selected 24 studies on physicians' participation in IHSN and their perceptions on practices. RESULTS: This literature review suggests that physicians' perceptions of IHSN are linked to their actual level of participation. Physicians who participated fully perceived improvements in all practice dimensions. Physicians who participated partially were dissatisfied with physician-patient relationships, perceived a loss of professional autonomy and increased gate-keeping constraints. They had however a positive perception of the overall quality of care. When physicians received capitation payments, they were overall dissatisfied. CONCLUSIONS: In order to improve primary care physicians' participation in IHSN, quality of care should be reinforced, capitation payment avoided and gate-keeping should be transformed into coordination of care.     

Delivery of HIV prevention counseling by physicians at HIV medical care settings in 4 US cities

OBJECTIVES: We investigated physicians' delivery of HIV prevention counseling to newly diagnosed and established HIV-positive patients. METHODS: A questionnaire was developed and mailed to 417 HIV physicians in 4 US cities. RESULTS: Overall, rates of counseling on the part of physicians were low. Physicians reported counseling newly diagnosed patients more than established patients. Factors associated with increased counseling included having sufficient time with patients and familiarity with treatment guidelines. Physicians who perceived their patients to have mental health and substance abuse problems, who served more male patients, and who were infectious disease specialists were less likely to counsel patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intervention strategies with physicians should be developed to overcome barriers to providing counseling to HIV-positive patients.     

The treatment of adults with essential hypertension

Hypertension is arbitrarily defined as diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 90 mm Hg or higher, systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 140 mm Hg or higher, or both, on 3 separate occasions. Essential hypertension is hypertension without an identifiable cause. Essential hypertension, also known as primary or idiopathic hypertension, accounts for at least 95% of all cases of hypertension. According to the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), approximately 60% of the 50 million Americans with hypertension are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease resulting from uncontrolled hypertension. This is because only 53% of hypertensive patients are being treated and only 24% have their hypertension under control. Physicians must play an active role in identifying and treating hypertension. In an earlier Applied Evidence article, an approach to the diagnosis of hypertension was presented. This article reviews the treatment of essential hypertension in adults and the prognosis of untreated hypertension. Risk stratification, alternative therapies, lifestyle modification, drug therapy, and prognosis will each be reviewed sequentially.     

Improving blood pressure control in diabetes: limitations of a clinical reminder in influencing physician behavior

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension should be aggressively treated, especially in diabetic patients. But studies of physician prescribing habits reveal that physicians often delay making medication changes or initiating antihypertensive therapy. A chart-based reminder was designed to improve physician medication prescribing in this clinical situation. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. Patients with diabetes and hypertension were selected. A highly visible chart reminder was applied to the front of outpatient charts in the intervention group practice. A chart review was conducted to assess physician-directed medication changes. A successful outcome was defined as any antihypertensive medication increase or addition at that same visit. RESULTS: Physicians were more likely to intensify antihypertensive medication as the blood pressure increased regardless of the reminder. Overall, only 33% of visits resulted in a medication change, even though 93% of patients had elevations over target blood pressure at the follow-up visit. Physicians in the intervention and control groups made changes to medication at similar rates (chi 2 = 0.621, p = .511). DISCUSSION: In this study, a chart reminder failed to improve physician compliance with the clinical guideline for hypertension management in diabetics, Sixth Report of the Joint National Committee on the Detection, Evaluation, Prevention and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. To inform the design of effective intervention strategies, further research should explore specific barriers to guideline adherence in this clinical situation.     

Family physician self-efficacy with screening for inherited cancer risk

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence has shown low and inconsistent rates of family history screening among generalist physicians. Little has been done to investigate the physician factors likely to mediate this behavior. We investigated family physicians' beliefs about screening their patients for inherited cancer risk, measuring their perceptions of self-efficacy and the importance of screening. METHODS: We mailed a cross-sectional, 1-page questionnaire to all active members (691) of the Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians, measuring their attitudes about predictive genetic cancer screening. RESULTS: We received responses from 300 of the 691 members (43%). Although 87% believed screening to be important, less than two thirds believed they were effective in screening. CONCLUSIONS: Many family physicians lack confidence in their ability to screen patients for a family history of cancer despite recognizing its importance to their practice.     

高血压患者行为危险因素聚集对血压控制的影响

目的 探讨高血压患者行为危险因素聚集对血压控制的影响,为提升血压控制率制定具有成本效益的干预策略提供科学依据。 方法 采用分层多阶段随机抽样方法对云南省8个县(区)≥18岁居民开展问卷调查和体格检查,将其中确诊为高血压的患者作为研究对象。计算存在不同危险因素(吸烟、饮酒、体力活动不足、蔬菜水果摄入不足、静态行为时间过长)个数患者的高血压控制率,多因素非条件logistic回归分析用于检验高血压控制率与行为危险因素聚集的关系。采用敏感性分析探讨其稳健性。 结果 共2 906例高血压患者纳入分析,血压控制率为15.7%。患者中存在≥2项行为危险因素聚集者占比达57.5%,存在0、1、2、3、≥4个行为危险因素的高血压患者血压控制率分别为18.9%、17.5%、15.7%、12.7%、7.2%。多因素非条件logistic回归分析结果显示,高血压控制率随着行为危险因素聚集个数增加而减小(P_趋势<0.05),与存在0个行为危险因素相比,患者存在≥4个行为危险因素会影响血压控制率(OR =2.928,95%CI:1.229～6.976)。敏感性分析结果显示行为危险因素聚集与高血压控制率的关联及趋势稳定。结论 高血压患者中行为危险因素聚集会影响血压控制,应将存在多种危险因素的患者作为干预的重点人群,以期提升血压控制率。     

Rates and Predictors of Uncontrolled Hypertension Among Hypertensive Homeless Adults Using New York City Shelter-Based Clinics

PURPOSE

We undertook a study to determine the rates, predictors, and barriers to blood pressure control among homeless and nonhomeless hypertensive adult patients from 10 New York City shelter-based clinics.

METHODS

The study was a retrospective chart review of blood pressure measurements, sociodemographic characteristics, and factors associated with homelessness and hypertension extracted from the medical records of a random sample of hypertensive patients (N = 210) in 2014.

RESULTS

Most patients were African American or Hispanic; 24.8% were female, and 84.3% were homeless for a mean duration of 3.07 years (SD = 5.04 years). Homeless adult patients were younger, had less insurance, and were more likely to be a current smoker and alcohol abuser. Of the 210 hypertensive patients, 40.1% of homeless and 33.3% of nonhomeless patients had uncontrolled blood pressure (P = .29) when compared with US rates for hypertensive adults, which range between 19.6% and 24.8%, respectively; 15.8% of homeless patients had stage 2 hypertension (P = .27). Homeless hypertensive patients with diabetes or multiple chronic diseases had better blood pressure control (P <.01). In logistic regression, lack of insurance was associated with inadequate blood pressure control (P <.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The high rate of uncontrolled hypertension among hypertensive homeless adults is alarming. We propose comprehensive approaches to improve social support, access to medical insurance, and medication adherence, the lack of which complicate blood pressure control, targeted health education, and life style modifications using mobile health strategies for this mobile population.     

Health problems and the use of health services among physicians: a review article with particular emphasis on Norwegian studies

This paper provides an overview of recent Norwegian and international research into physicians' health problems and their use of health services, with a particular focus on more recent studies relating to The Norwegian Physicians' Survey. The review suggests that physicians' physical health is similar to the general population, although female physicians tend to be in better health than other women. Some mental disorders such as depression and suicide appear to be more prevalent. Mental health problems are known to be associated with low work control (autonomy), time pressure and demanding patients. There is little difference between the genders early in their career, but more female than male physicians seem to experience problems later on. Physicians seldom take sick leave, and tend to make less use of primary health care and some screening facilities. Self-treatment is common -- even for mental problems. American impaired physician programmes have demonstrated high recovery rates (70-80%), and increasing emphasis is now being placed on psychiatric diagnoses. As certain mental disorders appear to be common among physicians, specialist psychiatric services should be made more accessible for this group. A low-threshold facility for seeking help with such problems has recently been developed in Norway (the Villa Sana Resource Centre).     

What do family physicians think about spirituality in clinical practice?

OBJECTIVES: To describe the context in which physicians address patients' spiritual concerns, including their attitudes toward this task, cues to discussion, practice patterns, and barriers and facilitators. STUDY DESIGN: This was a qualitative study using semistructured interviews of 13 family physicians. POPULATION: We selected board-certified Missouri family physicians in a nonrandom fashion to represent a range of demographic factors (age, sex, religious background), practice types (academic/community practice; urban/rural), and opinions and practice regarding physicians' roles in addressing patients' spiritual issues. OUTCOMES MEASURED: We coded and evaluated transcribed interviews for themes. RESULTS: Physicians who reported regularly addressing spiritual issues do so because of the primacy of spirituality in their lives and because of the scientific evidence associating spirituality with health. Respondents noted that patients' spiritual questions arise from their unique responses to chronic illness, terminal illness, and life stressors. Physicians reported varying approaches to spiritual assessment; affirmed that spiritual discussions should be approached with sensitivity and integrity; and reported physician, patient, mutual physician-patient, and situational barriers. Facilitators of spiritual discussions included physicians' modeling a life that includes a spiritual focus. CONCLUSIONS: These physicians differ in their comfort and practice of addressing spiritual issues with patients but affirm a role for family physicians in responding to patients' spiritual concerns. Factors that form a context for discussions of spiritual issues with patients include perceived barriers, physicians' role definition, familiarity with factors likely to prompt spiritual questions, and recognition of principles guiding spiritual discussions.     

Blood pressure level and incidence of myocardial infarction among patients treated for hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship between achieved blood pressure and risk of myocardial infarction among patients treated for hypertension. METHODS: Blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors were assessed among 718 myocardial infarction case patients and 2136 matched controls. RESULTS: Blood pressure level was directly related to risk of myocardial infarction. Patients with treated hypertension who had mild elevations in blood pressure accounted for a larger share of the excess myocardial infarction incidence than those who had higher blood pressure readings. CONCLUSIONS: Achieving normotensive levels in treated hypertensive patients with uncontrolled blood pressure might prevent more than 15% of myocardial infarctions in the treated hypertensive population.     

血压控制与糖尿病发病关系的前瞻性研究

目的 探讨血压控制情况与新发糖尿病的关系.方法 采用前瞻性研究方法 ,以江苏省多代谢异常和代谢综合征综合防治研究队列满足条件的人群为研究对象,分析并比较基线血压正常组和基线高血压组随访血压控制在不同水平时糖尿病发病率;运用Cox比例风险模型分析血压控制情况与随访新发糖尿病的关系.结果 3146名研究对象中,有102例新发糖尿病患者.基线血压正常组(n=2369)和高血压组(n=777)糖尿病累积发病率分别为2.74%和4.76%;基线血压正常组与高血压组糖尿病发病率均随着SBP和DBP增加而上升;两组人群中,随访转为或仍然为高血压的人群糖尿病发病率均大于随访血压保持或控制为正常的人群(基线血压正常组5.6%vs.1.9%,基线高血压组7.1%vs.2.2%).调整基线年龄、性别和糖尿病一般危险因素后,基线血压正常组中随访转为高血压的人群相比血压保持正常的人群发生糖尿病的相对危险度(aRR值及95%CI)为1.84(1.00～3.63);基线高血压组中随访血压未得到控制相比血压得到控制的人群发生糖尿病的aRR值为1.90(1.03～3.74).若调整性别、年龄和基线代谢综合征,aRR值则分别为1.70(0.99～2.78)和1.90(1.04～3.75).结论 基线血压正常组与高血压患者,若有效控制其血压在正常水平均能降低糖尿病发病的风险.