Physician cardiovascular disease risk factor management: practices in France vs the United States

Cardiovascular risk factor management by French vs US primary care physicians was studied. A survey was conducted that found that French physicians spend >20 minutes while US physicians spend five to 10 minutes (P<.001) addressing cardiovascular risk with patients. Fifty-three percent of French (vs 33% of US) physicians focus more on lifestyle modification and less on medication management (P<.0001). Sixty-nine percent of French physicians spend 0% to 20% of their time on administration while 65% of US physicians spend 10% to 30% (P=.0028). Fifty-one percent of French physicians see patients in one to three months for follow-up, while 51% of US physicians see patients in three to six months (P<.0001). Eighty-seven percent of French (vs 39% of US) physicians have guidelines available in the examination room either frequently or very frequently. US physicians report disparities in care more frequently than do French physicians (P<.0001). Forty-nine percent of French (vs 10% of US) physicians believe that they have relative freedom to practice medicine (P<.001). US physicians report greater administrative efforts, frustration, and disparities in their practice. French physicians focus more of their efforts on lifestyle management and see their patients more frequently and for a longer visit time.