Abstract
BACKGROUND: Research findings suggest that the level of cardiovascular risk factor recording in general practice is not yet optimal. Several studies indicate a relation between the organization of cardiovascular disease prevention at practice level and cardiovascular risk factor recording.
AIM: To explore the relation between the organization of cardiovascular disease prevention and risk factor recording in general practice.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data on adherence to selected practice guidelines and on cardiovascular risk factor recording from 95 general practices. Practice guidelines were developed beforehand in a consensus procedure. Adherence was assessed by means of a questionnaire and practice observations. Risk factor recording was assessed by an audit of 50 medical records per practice.
RESULTS: Factor analysis of risk factor recording revealed three dimensions explaining 76% of the variance: recording of health-related behaviour, recording of clinical parameters, and recording of medical background parameters. Adherence to the guideline 'proactively invite patients to attend for assessment of cardiovascular risk' was related to a higher recording level in all three dimensions. Practice characteristics did not show a consistent relationship to the level of risk factor recording.
CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the presence of a system of proactive invitation was related to the recording of cardiovascular risk factors in medical records in general practice.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1054-8 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | British journal of general practice |
| Volume | 48 |
| Issue number | 428 |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 1998 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Adult
- Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Family Practice
- Humans
- Medical Records
- Middle Aged
- Practice Guidelines as Topic
- Risk Factors