Familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care: knowledge and practices among general practitioners in Western Australia

Damon A Bell; Jacquie Garton-Smith; Alistair Vickery; Andrew B Kirke; Jing Pang; Timothy R Bates; Gerald F Watts

doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2013.08.005

Familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care: knowledge and practices among general practitioners in Western Australia

Heart Lung Circ. 2014 Apr;23(4):309-13. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2013.08.005. Epub 2013 Aug 29.

Authors

Damon A Bell¹, Jacquie Garton-Smith², Alistair Vickery³, Andrew B Kirke⁴, Jing Pang⁵, Timothy R Bates⁶, Gerald F Watts⁶

Affiliations

¹ Lipid Disorders Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia; School of Medicine & Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. Electronic address: damon.bell@health.wa.gov.au.
² Clinical Lead, Cardiovascular Health Network, DoHWA and Hospital Liaison GP, Royal Perth Hospital, Australia.
³ Primary Health Care - General Practice, SPARHC, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
⁴ Rural Clinical School of Western Australia, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
⁵ School of Medicine & Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
⁶ Lipid Disorders Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia; School of Medicine & Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

PMID: 24054707
DOI: 10.1016/j.hlc.2013.08.005

Abstract

Aim: To determine general practitioners' (GPs') knowledge and practice regarding familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) in Western Australia.

Method: A structured questionnaire was anonymously completed by GPs. Information was sought on awareness and knowledge of FH including, diagnosis, inheritance, prevalence, cardiovascular risk, management practices and opinions on FH screening.

Results: 191 GPs completed the survey, 62% were familiar with FH, 80% correctly defined FH and 68% identified the typical lipid profile, but only 33% were aware of national guidelines. There were knowledge deficits in prevalence, inheritance, and clinical features of FH, with correct responses in 27%, 45% and 38%, respectively. Most (84%) GPs considered themselves the most effective health professionals to detect FH, with 90% preferring laboratory interpretative commenting to highlight individuals at risk of FH. GPs identified appropriate cholesterol lowering drugs as mono (95%) or combination therapies (74%).

Conclusion: The majority of GPs considered they were the most effective health practitioners for managing FH and preferred laboratory reports to alert them of possible FH. Although GPs knowledge of cholesterol lowering therapies was good, their awareness of national guidelines, hereditability, prevalence and diagnostic features of FH was suboptimal. Implementing a community model of care for FH requires more extensive GP education.

Keywords: Awareness; Familial hypercholesterolaemia; General practitioner; Knowledge; Management practices.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Australia / epidemiology
Child
Child, Preschool
Delivery of Health Care*
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Humans
Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / epidemiology*
Infant
Male
Models, Theoretical*
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Primary Health Care*
Surveys and Questionnaires*