Measuring provider compliance with ischemic heart disease guidelines

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships among provider beliefs, attitudes, and intention to use Veterans Health Administration guidelines for ischemic heart disease (IHD).

A self-administered written questionnaire was mailed to providers at six Veterans Administration hospitals in a Veterans Integrated Service Network. The questionnaire measured the providers' general impression of the IHD guidelines, factors that influence use of cardiac medications, and barriers to using the guidelines.

A total of 170 of 491 eligible providers returned the questionnaire (35% response rate). The top reasons cited for following the guidelines were to decrease mortality, prevent future myocardial infarction, decrease the risk of recurrent events, and provide positive cardiac effects. The authors found that, overall, providers have a positive impression of the IHD guidelines because they provide a standard of care and result in higher quality of care.

The authors' results indicate that providers support the guidelines, but encounter barriers in accessing them.