Among surveyed general physicians, 74% rarely or never used cardiovascular prediction rules, most commonly citing concerns about over-simplification (58%) and potential over-treatment (54%).
Cross-Sectional (n=356)
Despite guideline recommendations, cardiovascular prediction rules are rarely used by Swiss general physicians due to concerns about over-simplification and over-treatment.
Although cardiovascular prediction rules are recommended by guidelines to evaluate global cardiovascular risk for primary prevention, they are rarely used in primary care. Little is known about barriers for application. The objective of this study was to evaluate barriers impeding the application of cardiovascular prediction rules in primary prevention. We performed a postal survey among general physicians in two Swiss Cantons by a purpose designed questionnaire. 356 of 772 dispatched questionnaires were returned (response rate 49.3%). About three quarters (74%) of general physicians rarely or never use cardiovascular prediction rules. Most often stated barriers to apply prediction rules among rarely- or never-users are doubts concerning over-simplification of risk assessment using these instruments (58%) and potential risk of (medical) over-treatment (54%). 57% report that the numerical information resulting from prediction rules is often not helpful for decision-making in practice. If regular application of cardiovascular prediction rules in primary care is in demand additional interventions are needed to increase acceptance of these tools for patient management among general physicians.
Eichler et al. (Wed,) conducted a cross-sectional in Primary care physicians (n=356). Postal survey on cardiovascular prediction rules was evaluated on Frequency of specific obstacles for application of cardiovascular prediction rules among physicians who rarely or never use them. Among surveyed general physicians, 74% rarely or never used cardiovascular prediction rules, most commonly citing concerns about over-simplification (58%) and potential over-treatment (54%).