In search of self-awareness: results of the National Lipid Association 2010 Lipid Pulse membership survey.
BACKGROUND
In 2010 a survey of the National Lipid Association (NLA) membership was developed and launched with the objective of exploring the demographics, practice patterns, and educational needs of the health professionals in our organization involved in the practice of clinical lipidology.


OBJECTIVE
To report the results of this survey and use this information to enable the organization to better serve the needs of our membership.


METHODS
A 30-question survey was administered to the NLA membership before and shortly after the Annual Scientific Sessions in May, 2010. Demographic information, test ordering patterns, educational needs and resources, and technology awareness of 640 valid respondents was assessed.


RESULTS
The respondents represent a balanced mix of practitioners in rural and metropolitan population centers throughout the United States. Physicians represent 67%, nurse practitioners and physician assistants 16%, and pharmacists 8% of the respondents. Among physicians, 50% are internal medicine or family medicine specialists, 32% cardiologists, and 11% endocrinologists. Most working in lipid clinics reported that their clinic was financially solvent. The respondents believed that adjunctive lipoprotein testing was clinically useful in risk prediction. The greatest educational needs included statin intolerance; strategies for improving compliance; metabolic syndrome; and lipoprotein particle and apolipoprotein B concentration. The most important sources of lipid information were the Journal of Clinical Lipidology and the NLA Annual Scientific Sessions.


CONCLUSIONS
The survey provided valuable information that may be used to better serve the practice and educational needs of the membership of the NLA.
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Harrington-McLaughlin Heart & Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44124, USA. carl.orringer@uhhospitals.org
Carl E
CE
Orringer
Jennifer G
JG
Robinson
Ralph
R
La Forge
Christopher R
CR
Seymour
D003625:Data Collection; D006281:Health Occupations / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D052439:Lipid Metabolism Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States