Inter-specialty differences and knowledge gaps in acute and advanced heart failure care

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Internal Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Heart failure (HF) presents a significant public health burden, demanding coordinated care across general practitioners (GPs), hospitalists, and HF specialists.
• Despite therapeutic advancements, optimal HF management hinges on effective interdisciplinary collaboration.
• This study investigates physician knowledge gaps in HF epidemiology, diagnosis, and management within Switzerland.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess and compare the knowledge of chronic, acute, and advanced heart failure (HF) among different physician specialties in Switzerland.
• To identify inter-specialty differences in understanding HF epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment guidelines.
• To inform targeted educational strategies for improving HF care coordination and patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was administered between January and March 2025.
• Participants included general practitioners (GPs), hospital internists, and members of the Swiss Society of Cardiology HF Working Group.
• Survey data focused on knowledge of HF epidemiology, diagnosis, and management.

Main Results:

• HF specialists reported higher self-rated competence in HF management compared to GPs and hospitalists.
• Awareness of HF prevalence and sex disparities was noted, though GPs underestimated prevalence in specific populations.
• GPs showed lower accuracy in recognizing cardiogenic shock indicators and advanced HF referral criteria compared to HF specialists.

Conclusions:

• Significant inter-specialty disparities in heart failure (HF) knowledge persist, particularly concerning epidemiology, acute HF management, and advanced HF referral.
• Addressing these knowledge gaps through interdisciplinary education is crucial for enhancing guideline adherence.
• Improved physician knowledge and collaboration are essential for optimizing patient outcomes in heart failure care.