Change in physician perspective on cholesterol and heart disease. Results from two national surveys
B. Schucker, J. T. Wittes, J. A. Cutler, K. Bailey, D. R. Mackintosh, D. J. Gordon, C. M. Haines, M. E. Mattson, R. S. Goor and B. M. Rifkind
Lipid Metabolism-Atherogenesis Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute sponsored national telephone
surveys of practicing physicians in 1983 (N = 1610) and 1986 (N = 1277) to
assess attitudes and practices regarding elevated serum cholesterol levels.
The 1983 survey was conducted just before the release of the results of the
Lipid Research Clinics Coronary Primary Prevention Trial, which showed that
a reduction in the blood cholesterol level reduced coronary heart disease.
In 1986, 64% of physicians thought that reducing high blood cholesterol
levels would have a large effect on heart disease, up considerably from 39%
in 1983. Whereas in 1983, physicians attributed considerably less
preventive value to reducing the cholesterol level than to reducing blood
pressure or smoking, this disparity was substantially smaller in 1986. The
median range of blood cholesterol at which diet therapy was initiated was
6.21 to 6.70 mmol/L (240 to 259 mg/dL) in 1986, down from 6.72 to 7.21
mmol/L (260 to 279 mg/dL) in 1983; the median for drug therapy was 7.76 to
8.25 mmol/L. (300 to 319 mg/dL) in 1986 and 8.79 to 9.28 mmol/L (340 to 359
mg/dL) in 1983. In 1986, 87% of physicians surveyed felt that medical
evidence warranted the recommended treatment levels set forth in the 1984
National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference on Lowering Blood
Cholesterol. These changes indicate that by 1986, physicians were more
convinced of the benefit of lowering high blood cholesterol levels and were
treating patients accordingly. The data also suggest areas for continued
educational initiatives.
Thematic review series: The Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis. An interpretive history of the cholesterol controversy, part III: mechanistically defining the role of hyperlipidemia
Steinberg
J. Lipid Res. 2005;46:2037-2051.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
The cardiologist's toolbox: improving care
Ben-Yehuda
J Am Coll Cardiol 2004;43:2174-2176.
FULL TEXT
Self-reported nutrition proficiency is positively correlated with the perceived quality of nutrition training of family physicians in Washington State
Mihalynuk et al.
Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2003;77:1330-1336.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Dietitian-general practitioner interface: a pilot study on what influences the provision of effective nutrition management
Nicholas et al.
Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2003;77:1039S-1042.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Physician Participation in Research Surveys: A Randomized Study of Inducements to Return Mailed Research Questionnaires
Donaldson et al.
Eval Health Prof 1999;22:427-441.
ABSTRACT
Managed Care for Preventive Services: A Review of Policy Options
Halpin Schauffler and Rodriguez
Med Care Res Rev 1993;50:153-198.
Using Physician Caller Follow-Ups to Improve the Response Rate to a Physician Telephone Survey: Its Impact and Its Implications
Bostick et al.
Eval Health Prof 1992;15:420-433.
ABSTRACT
PHYSICIANS AND PATIENTS EMBRACE LIPID HYPOTHESIS
JWatch General 1988;1988:6-6.
FULL TEXT
