Abstract
Objectives: While ethnic minorities in Europe are disproportionally affected by cardiovascular disease (CVD), little is known about how general
practitioners (GPs) perceive differences in risk or care needs across ethnic minority groups. Therefore, we explored GPs’ views on whether ethnicity influences cardiovascular risk, whether a culturally sensitive approach is warranted, on potential barriers in the provision of such care, and
to find potential opportunities to improve cardiovascular prevention for these groups.
Methods: We conducted a qualitative study by interviewing GPs practising in The Netherlands. The interviews were semistructured, audiorecorded, and analysed by 2 researchers using thematic analysis.
Results: We interviewed 24 Dutch GPs (50% male). GPs’ views on the impact of ethnicity on CVD risk varied widely, yet it was generally recognized as a relevant factor in cardiovascular prevention for most minority groups, prompting earlier case-finding of high-risk patients. While
GPs were aware of sociocultural differences, they emphasized an individualized approach. Perceived limitations were language barriers and
unfamiliarity with sociocultural customs, leading to a need for continuing medical education on culturally sensitive care and reimbursement of
telephone interpreting services.
Conclusion: Dutch GPs have differing views on the role of ethnicity in evaluating and treating cardiovascular risk. Despite these differences, they
emphasized the importance of a personalized and culturally sensitive approach during patient consultations and expressed a need for continuing
medical education. Additional research on how ethnicity influences CVD risk may strengthen cardiovascular prevention in increasingly diverse
primary care populations.
practitioners (GPs) perceive differences in risk or care needs across ethnic minority groups. Therefore, we explored GPs’ views on whether ethnicity influences cardiovascular risk, whether a culturally sensitive approach is warranted, on potential barriers in the provision of such care, and
to find potential opportunities to improve cardiovascular prevention for these groups.
Methods: We conducted a qualitative study by interviewing GPs practising in The Netherlands. The interviews were semistructured, audiorecorded, and analysed by 2 researchers using thematic analysis.
Results: We interviewed 24 Dutch GPs (50% male). GPs’ views on the impact of ethnicity on CVD risk varied widely, yet it was generally recognized as a relevant factor in cardiovascular prevention for most minority groups, prompting earlier case-finding of high-risk patients. While
GPs were aware of sociocultural differences, they emphasized an individualized approach. Perceived limitations were language barriers and
unfamiliarity with sociocultural customs, leading to a need for continuing medical education on culturally sensitive care and reimbursement of
telephone interpreting services.
Conclusion: Dutch GPs have differing views on the role of ethnicity in evaluating and treating cardiovascular risk. Despite these differences, they
emphasized the importance of a personalized and culturally sensitive approach during patient consultations and expressed a need for continuing
medical education. Additional research on how ethnicity influences CVD risk may strengthen cardiovascular prevention in increasingly diverse
primary care populations.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Family Practice |
| Publication status | Published - 30 Mar 2023 |