Provider perspectives on vascular medicine: Awareness, utilization, and opportunities for improved collaboration

As vascular disease becomes increasingly prevalent in an aging population with a growing burden of diabetes and metabolic disease, the need for specialized vascular care continues to expand. Vascular medicine programs vary in scope and organization across institutions. Understanding how providers view and use vascular medicine services is therefore important to characterize their role in contemporary care.

This is a cross-sectional electronic survey of providers involved in vascular disease care at a tertiary academic center in Colorado. An anonymous electronic survey assessed awareness, referral patterns, and perceptions of vascular medicine. Responses were summarized descriptively.

The survey was completed by 98 providers across specialties, with an overall 18% response rate. Of respondents, 68% were physicians and 46% had been in practice for less than 10 years. Of the 80% of providers aware of the vascular medicine clinic, 48% referred patients to vascular medicine every 2-3 months or more in the previous year, and 13% never referred patients. The most common indications for referral were atherosclerotic vascular disease, nonatherosclerotic arteriopathies, and leg swelling, chosen by 51%, 42%, and 38% of respondents, respectively. Provider education, enhanced communication between specialties, and clinic availability were identified as key factors that would increase the likelihood of referral.

Despite broad awareness of the vascular medicine clinic, referral practices are variable, suggesting potential underutilization of specialty expertise. As demand for vascular care grows, targeted efforts to strengthen education, communication, and multidisciplinary workflow integration may support appropriate utilization and strengthen vascular care delivery.