Survey of ankle-brachial pressure index use and its perceived barriers by general practitioners in the UK.
Postgrad Med J
; 92(1088): 322-7, 2016 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26846131
BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is often undetected until complications arise, despite it being a major healthcare burden and an independent risk factor for cardiovascular death and systemic atherosclerosis. Appropriate diagnostic tools are as important as clinical knowledge and skill to investigate patients for PAD. Currently, the ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) is the recommended diagnostic tool for PAD. PURPOSE: We explore current opinions on ABPI by general practitioners (GPs) and the limitations to its implementation in primary care practice. METHODS: GPs attending a regional 1-day study event, were surveyed in October 2014. Survey questionnaires were placed at the top of each conference pack for each attendee. The survey questionnaire was modelled from the ankle-brachial index (ABI) usage survey questionnaire used in the PAD Awareness, Risk and Treatment: New Resources for Survival (PARTNERS) preceptorship study. RESULTS: All respondents were GPs, with a survey response rate of 77.1%. All respondents regarded ABPI as an important test, that is primarily performed by nursing staff (79.5%) in their respective GP surgeries. 70% and 97% of GPs found ABPI useful for the diagnosis of asymptomatic and symptomatic PAD, respectively. 69% of GPs regarded ABPI as a feasible test in primary care practice. Time constraints (84%), staff availability (89%) and staff training (72%) were cited as the main limitations to its use. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted training of nursing staff may improve ABPI usage, although a less time-consuming test for PAD may be another option.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Padrões de Prática Médica
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Índice Tornozelo-Braço
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Doença Arterial Periférica
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Enfermagem de Atenção Primária
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Clínicos Gerais
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Mau Uso de Serviços de Saúde
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Postgrad Med J
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article