Physician education in hyperlipidemia management: the impact on collaboration

Collaboration of health care professionals is likely beneficial in modifying patient behavior in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether limited instruction and demonstration of collaborative management of hyperlipidemia in a continuing medical education (CME) would change physicians' office practices, as determined 1 year later by questionnaire. Collaborative practice was defined as physicians working with other allied health care professionals as a team to increase patients' medication compliance and other behavioral outcomes. A 19-credit hour CME Lipid Disorders Training Program (LDTP) was offered emphasizing the collaborative approach to hyperlipidemia patient management. Physicians (n = 196) were surveyed 1 year after LDTP. The response rate was 52.5%, nonrespondents were similar in locations. About 51% of respondents reported increased collaborative practice; of these respondents, 68% reported saving time, 78% reported improved patient outcomes, 76% improved office efficiency, and 90% increased patient satisfaction. According to self-reporting by these physicians, increased collaboration practices after attending the LDTP course led to improved patient outcomes.