title: Implementation of Spanish adaptation of the European guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in primary care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The successful implementation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention guidelines relies heavily on primary care physicians (PCPs) providing risk factor evaluation, intervention and patient education. The aim of this study was to ascertain the degree of awareness and implementation of the Spanish adaptation of the European guidelines on CVD prevention in clinical practice (CEIPC guidelines) among PCPs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey of PCPs was conducted in Spain between January and June 2011. A random sample of 1,390 PCPs was obtained and stratified by region. Data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than half (58%) the physicians were aware of and knew the recommendations, and 62% of those claimed to use them in clinical practice, with general physicians (without any specialist accreditation) being less likely to so than family doctors. Most PCPs (60%) did not assess cardiovascular risk, with the limited time available in the surgery being cited as the greatest barrier by 81%. The main reason to be sceptical about recommendations, reported by 71% of physicians, was that there are too many guidelines. Almost half the doctors cited the lack of training and skills as the greatest barrier to the implementation of lifestyle and behavioural change recommendations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most PCPs were aware of the Spanish adaptation of the European guidelines on CVD prevention (CEIPC guidelines) and knew their content. However, only one third of PCPs used the guidelines in clinical practice and less than half CVD risk assessment tools.
authors.affiliation: Research Unit, Sardenya Primary Health Care Center-Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain. cbrotons@eapsardenya.cat
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brotons
authors.forename: José Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lobos
authors.forename: Miguel Ángel
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Royo-Bordonada
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maiques
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Santiago
authors.forename: Ángel
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Castellanos
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Obaya
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pedro-Botet
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moral
authors.forename: Vicenta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lizarbe
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cordero
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fornés-Ubeda
authors.forename: Benilde
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Serrano-Saiz
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camafort-Babkowski
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Elosua
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sans
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Pablo
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gil-Nuñez
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Álvaro-Moreno
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Armario
authors.forename: Olga Cortés
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Rico
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Villar
authors.forename: Ángel
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Lizcano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors