Primary care physicians’ awareness and perceptions on adherence to primary cardiovascular disease prevention guidelines in Lebanon: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives

To assess the awareness and have an insight on practice patterns of primary care physicians (PCPs) with respect to several professional primary cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) preventive guidelines.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study, questionnaire-based using a non-probability convenience sampling. Data collection occurred at the annual conferences of the Lebanese Societies of General Practice, Family Medicine, and Internal Medicine in Lebanon. 104 PCPs were recruited.

Main Outcome Measures

Awareness and practices of CVDs preventive guidelines.

Results

The response rate was 37%. Awareness of the various CVD preventive guidelines was high among PCPs (>81%). Around 69% of PCPs reported that they always calculate the total cardiovascular risk assessment score. Gaps in managing patients according to guidelines’ recommendations were higher in statin initiation compared to antihypertensive initiation. There is over prescription of statin in low risk patients and underutilization in high risk patients. Around 20% of PCPs would initiate aspirin for a low risk patient. Around 17% of physicians do not perform abdominal aortic aneurysm screening.

Discussion

Although PCPs demonstrated high level of awareness regarding CVD preventive guidelines, gaps remain present in managing patients according to guidelines’ recommendations. Less adherence to guidelines will increase mortality and affect patient care.