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Arterial hypertension diagnosis: A problem?
M Serrat-Costa1, G Coll de Tuero2, C Bertran Noguer3
1Catalan Health Institute, Catsalut, Generalitat of Catalonia, Spain; Girona Research Support Unit, Jordi Gol Primary Care Research Institute, Spain.
Insights
Primary care professionals show inadequate knowledge and skills for diagnosing arterial hypertension (AHT). Further training is crucial to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care for this widespread condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Primary Care
- Medical Education
Background:
- Arterial hypertension (AHT) is a significant public health concern and a leading cause of mortality.
- Accurate diagnosis of AHT in primary care relies heavily on the theoretical knowledge and technical proficiency of healthcare providers.
- Variability in diagnostic practices necessitates an evaluation of current healthcare professional expertise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the knowledge and practical skills of primary care physicians and nurses in the initial diagnosis of arterial hypertension.
- To identify factors influencing the variability in diagnostic performance among healthcare professionals.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 385 primary care physicians and nurses in a Catalan health region.
- A validated questionnaire (ARC) assessed theoretical knowledge and factors contributing to response variability.
- Objective structured clinical examination tests evaluated practical blood pressure measurement skills.
Main Results:
- Healthcare professionals demonstrated deficient knowledge and skills in initial AHT diagnosis and measurement, despite overestimating their competence.
- Professionals who completed recent postgraduate or AHT-specific training exhibited improved performance on the ARC questionnaire.
- Self-perception of knowledge did not correlate with actual diagnostic and measurement proficiency.
Conclusions:
- Current expertise in arterial hypertension among primary care professionals is insufficient to guarantee high-quality clinical practice.
- There is a clear need to enhance ongoing theoretical and practical training programs for healthcare providers.
- Improved training initiatives are essential to address knowledge and skill gaps in AHT diagnosis and management.
Introduction:
Arterial hypertension (AHT), a leading risk factor in terms of attributable mortality, is a major public health problem, especially for primary care where most patients are diagnosed and followed up. Correct AHT diagnosis requires adequate theoretical knowledge and technical skills in physicians and nurses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and skills used in initial AHT diagnosis by health professionals and to describe the factors that contribute to variability.
Methodology:
Cross-sectional observational study in a sample of 385 primary care physicians and nurses recruited in a Catalan health region. Using a validated questionnaire called ARC, we evaluated theoretical knowledge and analysed factors that may contribute to response variability. We also evaluated practical measurement skills using objective structured clinical examination tests.
Results:
Medical and nursing primary care professionals had deficient knowledge and skills for initial AHT diagnosis and measurement, despite self-perceiving their knowledge to be sufficient. However, professionals who had received postgraduate or other AHT training in the previous year scored better in the ARC questionnaire.
Conclusions:
The results of this study point to insufficient AHT expertise to ensure quality clinical practice, suggesting that ongoing theoretical and practical training needs to be improved.
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