An educational partnership between heart failure specialists and primary care providers doubled the use of triple therapy GDMT in HFrEF patients from 22.9% to 45.7% (p=0.0047).
Observational (n=11,909)
No
Does an educational partnership between HF specialists and primary care providers improve HF diagnosis and GDMT implementation?
An educational partnership between HF specialists and primary care providers significantly improved the diagnosis of heart failure and the implementation of guideline-directed medical therapy.
Absolute Event Rate: 45.7% vs 22.9%
p-value: p=0.0047
Background: While significant gains were made in the management of heart failure (HF), most patients are still diagnosed when they are acutely ill in hospital, often with advanced disease. Earlier diagnosis in the community could lead to improved outcomes. Whether a partnership and an educational program for primary care providers (PCP) increase HF awareness and management is unknown. Methods: We conducted an observational study between March 2019 and June 2020 during which HF specialists gave monthly HF conferences to PCP. Using a pre-post design, medical charts and administrative databases were reviewed and a questionnaire was completed by participating PCP. Primary and secondary endpoints included: 1) the number of patients diagnosed with HF, 2) implementation of GDMT for patients with HFrEF; 3) PCPs' experience and confidence. Results: Six PCP agreed to participate. Amongst the 11,909 patients of the clinic, 70 (0.59 %) patients met the criteria for HF. This number increased by 28.6 % (n = 90) after intervention. Increased use of GDMT for HFrEF patients at baseline (n = 35) was observed for all class of agents, with doubling of patients on triple therapies, from 8 (22.9 %) to 16 (45.7 %), p = 0.0047. Self-confidence on HF management was low (1, 16.7 %) but increased after the educational intervention of physicians (3, 50 %). Conclusion: An educational and collaborative approach between HF specialists and community PCP increased the number of new HF cases diagnosed, enhanced implementation of GDMT in patients with HFrEF and increase PCPs' confidence in treating HF, despite being conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parent et al. (Wed,) conducted a observational in Heart failure (n=11,909). Educational program and partnership (monthly HF conferences) vs. Pre-intervention (baseline) was evaluated on Implementation of triple therapy GDMT for patients with HFrEF (p=0.0047). An educational partnership between heart failure specialists and primary care providers doubled the use of triple therapy GDMT in HFrEF patients from 22.9% to 45.7% (p=0.0047).