Doctors' Knowledge of Hypertension Guidelines Recommendations Reflected in Their Practice

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Internal Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Hypertension management guidelines are crucial for optimal patient care.
• Adherence to clinical practice guidelines (CPG) ensures evidence-based treatment.
• Understanding physician adherence is key to improving hypertension control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess doctors' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Malaysian hypertension guidelines (CPG 2008).
• To identify predictors of adherence to these guidelines among physicians.
• To evaluate the gap between guideline recommendations and clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 26 doctors managing hypertension at Penang General Hospital.
• Knowledge and attitudes assessed via self-administered questionnaires.
• Practices evaluated by analyzing 520 outpatient prescriptions for guideline compliance.

Main Results:

• 73.07% of doctors demonstrated adequate knowledge of the guidelines.
• A significant positive correlation (r=0.635, P<0.001) was found between knowledge and practice scores.
• 67.1% of prescriptions were guideline-compliant, with adherence influenced by hypertension clinic setting, left ventricular hypertrophy, and heart failure.

Conclusions:

• Physician knowledge directly influences their prescribing practices for hypertension.
• Gaps in guideline adherence were observed in pharmacotherapy for uncomplicated hypertension and specific comorbidities.
• Improving adherence requires addressing knowledge deficits and practice variations.