John D Bucheit1, Haleigh Helsing2, Pramit Nadpara2, Salim S Virani3, Dave L Dixon4. 1. Center for Pharmacy Practice Innovation, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, VA, USA; Department of Pharmacotherapy & Outcomes Science, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, VA, USA. 2. Department of Pharmacotherapy & Outcomes Science, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, VA, USA. 3. Health Policy, Quality & Informatics Program, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center Health Services Research and Development Center for Innovations, Houston, TX, USA; Section of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. 4. Center for Pharmacy Practice Innovation, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, VA, USA; Department of Pharmacotherapy & Outcomes Science, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, VA, USA. Electronic address: dldixon@vcu.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Clinical pharmacists are frequently involved in the management of dyslipidemia, yet clinical pharmacists' knowledge, awareness, and the level of agreement with the 2013 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) cholesterol guideline are unknown. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to examine clinical pharmacists' knowledge, awareness, and the level of agreement with the 2013 ACC/AHA cholesterol guideline. METHODS: We administered a validated questionnaire via an online survey that was electronically mailed to clinical pharmacists. We compared responses between those in practice for ≤ 10 and those in practice for > 10 years, and according to practice specialty. RESULTS: The response rate was 11% (314 of 2845). Most respondents were from the Midwestern and Southeastern US, in practice for ≤ 10 years, and practiced in family practice/primary care. Nearly all (92%) respondents had read the guideline and 72% were able to identify the 4 statin benefit groups. Notable knowledge gaps included recalling the 4 outcomes of the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk estimator (41.4%), understanding differences between the Framingham Risk Score and the ASCVD risk estimator (33.7%), and monitoring lipids after initiating a statin (41.1%). More knowledge gaps were identified in those practicing for > 10 years and who specialized in internal medicine. The use of the ASCVD risk estimator was high; yet nearly half (44.2%) were concerned whether the ASCVD risk estimator would overestimate 10-year ASCVD risk. CONCLUSION: Although most clinical pharmacists had read the 2013 ACC/AHA cholesterol guideline, several knowledge gaps were identified, especially among those with more experience and those practicing in internal medicine. Targeted education efforts are needed to address these gaps.
BACKGROUND: Clinical pharmacists are frequently involved in the management of dyslipidemia, yet clinical pharmacists' knowledge, awareness, and the level of agreement with the 2013 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) cholesterol guideline are unknown. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to examine clinical pharmacists' knowledge, awareness, and the level of agreement with the 2013 ACC/AHA cholesterol guideline. METHODS: We administered a validated questionnaire via an online survey that was electronically mailed to clinical pharmacists. We compared responses between those in practice for ≤ 10 and those in practice for > 10 years, and according to practice specialty. RESULTS: The response rate was 11% (314 of 2845). Most respondents were from the Midwestern and Southeastern US, in practice for ≤ 10 years, and practiced in family practice/primary care. Nearly all (92%) respondents had read the guideline and 72% were able to identify the 4 statin benefit groups. Notable knowledge gaps included recalling the 4 outcomes of the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk estimator (41.4%), understanding differences between the Framingham Risk Score and the ASCVD risk estimator (33.7%), and monitoring lipids after initiating a statin (41.1%). More knowledge gaps were identified in those practicing for > 10 years and who specialized in internal medicine. The use of the ASCVD risk estimator was high; yet nearly half (44.2%) were concerned whether the ASCVD risk estimator would overestimate 10-year ASCVD risk. CONCLUSION: Although most clinical pharmacists had read the 2013 ACC/AHA cholesterol guideline, several knowledge gaps were identified, especially among those with more experience and those practicing in internal medicine. Targeted education efforts are needed to address these gaps.
Authors: Jessica M Downes; Lisa A Appeddu; Jeremy L Johnson; Kelsey S Haywood; B Jordan James; Kendrick D Wingard Journal: Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm Date: 2021-04-21