Six-year experience with graded exercise testing in a model family practice office

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Family Medicine
• Medical Education

Background:

• The Office for Family Practice initiated in-office graded exercise testing (GET) in 1978.
• Approximately 275 GETs have been performed over a six-year period.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline indications, results, and complications of office-based GET.
• To assess the utility of GET in family practice and residency training.
• To compare in-office GET outcomes with published literature.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 275 graded exercise tests.
• Analysis of indications, results, complications, and follow-up.
• Questionnaire survey of former residents regarding training benefits and applicability.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated various indications and utilization of treadmill testing in family practice.
• Office-based GET results and complications were comparable to literature.
• Former residents reported significant benefits and applicability of GET training.

Conclusions:

• Graded exercise testing is a safe and effective procedure for the family practice setting.
• Training in graded exercise testing should be incorporated into residency programs.
• Office-based GET provides valuable clinical data and enhances practice capabilities.