Kendall B Islam1, Danielle Brandman2, Janet N Chu3, Max L Goldman4, Rena K Fox5. 1. School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. 2. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. 3. Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. 4. Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. 5. Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. rena.fox@ucsf.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Primary care providers (PCPs) face increasing numbers of patients at risk for NAFLD and are responsible for the detection of NAFLD and the decision on referral to specialists. We conducted a PCP needs assessment to ascertain the barriers and desired supports for NAFLD in primary care. METHODS: We designed a cross-sectional study of PCPs at a large diverse health system and surveyed faculty, residents, and nurse practitioners. Questions assessed NAFLD knowledge, approach to diagnosis and fibrosis testing including use of FIB-4, and attitudes toward support tools. RESULTS: The survey was sent to 115 PCPs with an 80% (n = 92) response rate. Respondents were 52% faculty and 48% residents. Over 40% were unsure of which diagnostic tests to order and which data constituted a diagnosis. PCPs were aware of the importance of fibrosis, yet few knew the components of FIB-4, few used FIB-4 in practice, and yet the most common reason for referral was to obtain fibrosis staging. The majority showed high levels of interest toward possible tools to improve NAFLD management, and only 5% perceived lack of time to be a barrier. DISCUSSION: Our survey revealed PCPs need and want strategic approaches to NAFLD. We found PCPs lack confidence in diagnosing NAFLD and are inconsistent in management strategies. PCPs had high awareness of the importance of fibrosis, but not of the FIB-4. It was encouraging that PCPs reported that time was not a major barrier and had positive attitudes toward potential practice support tools, indicating that practice guidelines designed for primary care should be created.
BACKGROUND: Primary care providers (PCPs) face increasing numbers of patients at risk for NAFLD and are responsible for the detection of NAFLD and the decision on referral to specialists. We conducted a PCP needs assessment to ascertain the barriers and desired supports for NAFLD in primary care. METHODS: We designed a cross-sectional study of PCPs at a large diverse health system and surveyed faculty, residents, and nurse practitioners. Questions assessed NAFLD knowledge, approach to diagnosis and fibrosis testing including use of FIB-4, and attitudes toward support tools. RESULTS: The survey was sent to 115 PCPs with an 80% (n = 92) response rate. Respondents were 52% faculty and 48% residents. Over 40% were unsure of which diagnostic tests to order and which data constituted a diagnosis. PCPs were aware of the importance of fibrosis, yet few knew the components of FIB-4, few used FIB-4 in practice, and yet the most common reason for referral was to obtain fibrosis staging. The majority showed high levels of interest toward possible tools to improve NAFLD management, and only 5% perceived lack of time to be a barrier. DISCUSSION: Our survey revealed PCPs need and want strategic approaches to NAFLD. We found PCPs lack confidence in diagnosing NAFLD and are inconsistent in management strategies. PCPs had high awareness of the importance of fibrosis, but not of the FIB-4. It was encouraging that PCPs reported that time was not a major barrier and had positive attitudes toward potential practice support tools, indicating that practice guidelines designed for primary care should be created.
Authors: Paul Angulo; David E Kleiner; Sanne Dam-Larsen; Leon A Adams; Einar S Bjornsson; Phunchai Charatcharoenwitthaya; Peter R Mills; Jill C Keach; Heather D Lafferty; Alisha Stahler; Svanhildur Haflidadottir; Flemming Bendtsen Journal: Gastroenterology Date: 2015-04-29 Impact factor: 22.682
Authors: Naga Chalasani; Zobair Younossi; Joel E Lavine; Michael Charlton; Kenneth Cusi; Mary Rinella; Stephen A Harrison; Elizabeth M Brunt; Arun J Sanyal Journal: Hepatology Date: 2017-09-29 Impact factor: 17.425