Screening for hypercholesterolemia in a family practice residency.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant health problem in the United States, and hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for its development. The role of the primary care physician in screening and treatment is increasingly recognized as crucial. Our research addressed screening of 296 adult male patients aged 20-39 for hypercholesterolemia during two time periods. A chart review was conducted in a family practice residency model office to determine if screening was being performed and what factors influenced it (CAD risk factors, demographics, and insurance status). Forty-three percent of the patients had a cholesterol test on record, of which only 10% were ordered specifically to check the cholesterol. Demographic characteristics, insurance, and CAD risk factors did not influence the rate of testing, with the single exception of hypertension; an educational conference and the development of a practice policy between the two time periods did not change the rate of screening.