SCREENING FOR CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE AND RISK REDUCTION COUNSELING BEHAVIORS OF GENERAL-PRACTITIONERS

Background. This study presents prevalence of risk factors for cardiov ascular disease in general practice patients and screening rates for r isk factors. Conditions addressed include smoking, weight, alcohol int ake, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Methods. Adult patients (7,160) attending 230 general practitioners in a metropolitan (Brisbane) and r ural (Toowoomba) region in Queensland were recruited to a cross-sectio nal study. A self-administered patient questionnaire provided self-rep orted information on lifestyle risk factors and rates of previous scre ening. A doctor's questionnaire completed at the conclusion of the con sultation provided information about physician knowledge of patient ri sk factors and details of preventive care provided in the consultation . Results. Twenty-five percent of patients reported that they smoked, 2% drank beyond defined safe limits, 40% had body mass index >24.9 (kg /m2). Doctors identified 66% of self-reported smokers, 40% of heavy dr inkers, and 59% of overweight patients. Over 90% of patients reported prior blood pressure measurements in agreement with national recommend ations; cholesterol screening within the past 5 years was reported by 51% of patients. Screening and/or counselling of patients in the consu ltation was highest for blood pressure (47%) and smoking (34%) and con siderably lower for overweight (22%), alcohol (19%), and cholesterol ( 6%). Conclusions. Although preventive activities are being undertaken in general practice, performance of these activities is less than idea l. The barriers to undertaking these activities need to be addressed f or change to occur. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.