CORONARY HEART-DISEASE PREVENTION - THE ROLE OF THE GENERAL-PRACTITIONER

The objectives of the study were to identify the level of general prac titioner (GP) involvement in activities aimed at coronary heart diseas e prevention and to explain variations in involvement. These questions were explored through a postal survey of a random sample (n = 1696) o f GPs in England of whom 64% completed questionnaires. Ninety-four per cent of GPs reported that they were involved in risk factor assessmen t in the consultation although these assessments most commonly involve d blood pressure testing and identification of smoking. Ninety-one per cent of practices were reported by the GP to have a lifestyle risk as sessment clinic where there was more evidence of systematic risk asses sment. These clinics were usually run by a practice nurse as were life style risk factor management clinics although GPs were more involved i n hypertension and cholesterol clinics. Positive attitudes to preventi on and training in health promotion were associated with higher GP inv olvement, and higher practice involvement was associated primarily wit h the number of practice nurses employed. The implication of these fin dings are discussed.