Key result
Among high-risk patients in primary care, independent predictors of referral to a lifestyle modification program included baseline BMI ≥ 25 (OR 2.87), physical inactivity (OR 2.90), rural location (OR 12.50), and smaller practice size (OR 16.05).
Why the study?
What are the patient and practice predictors of referral to a lifestyle modification program for vascular disease prevention in high-risk primary care patients?
Observational (n=301)
Open-label
Cluster
Yes
What are the patient and practice predictors of referral to a lifestyle modification program for vascular disease prevention in high-risk primary care patients?
Odds Ratio: 2.87 (95% CI 1.1–7.47)
p-value: p=<0.05
Rural location and smaller practice size strongly predict primary care referrals to a vascular disease prevention lifestyle program among high-risk patients.
May inform equitable referral strategies in rural/small practices; leaves open effects on vascular outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease accounts for a large burden of disease, but is amenable to prevention through lifestyle modification. This paper examines patient and practice predictors of referral to a lifestyle modification program (LMP) offered as part of a cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) of prevention of vascular disease in primary care. METHODS: Data from the intervention arm of a cluster RCT which recruited 36 practices through two rural and three urban primary care organisations were used. In each practice, 160 eligible high risk patients were invited to participate. Practices were randomly allocated to intervention or control groups. Intervention practice staff were trained in screening, motivational interviewing and counselling and encouraged to refer high risk patients to a LMP involving individual and group sessions. Data include patient surveys; clinical audit; practice survey on capacity for preventive care; referral records from the LMP. Predictors of referral were examined using multi-level logistic regression modelling after adjustment for confounding factors. RESULTS: Of 301 eligible patients, 190 (63.1%) were referred to the LMP. Independent predictors of referral were baseline BMI ≥ 25 (OR 2.87 95%CI:1.10, 7.47), physical inactivity (OR 2.90 95%CI:1.36,6.14), contemplation/preparation/action stage of change for physical activity (OR 2.75 95%CI:1.07, 7.03), rural location (OR 12.50 95%CI:1.43, 109.7) and smaller practice size (1-3 GPs) (OR 16.05 95%CI:2.74, 94.24). CONCLUSIONS: Providing a well-structured evidence-based lifestyle intervention, free of charge to patients, with coordination and support for referral processes resulted in over 60% of participating high risk patients being referred for disease prevention. Contrary to expectations, referrals were more frequent from rural and smaller practices suggesting that these practices may be more ready to engage with these programs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12607000423415.
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Passey et al. (2012) conducted an observational in High risk of vascular disease (n=301). Baseline BMI ≥ 25 vs. Baseline BMI < 25 was evaluated on Referral to a lifestyle modification program (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.10-7.47, p=<0.05). Among high-risk patients in primary care, independent predictors of referral to a lifestyle modification program included baseline BMI ≥ 25 (OR 2.87), physical inactivity (OR 2.90), rural location (OR 12.50), and smaller practice size (OR 16.05).
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