Familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care: knowledge and practices among general practitioners in Western Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine general practitioners' (GPs') knowledge and practice regarding familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) in Western Australia.


METHODS
A structured questionnaire was anonymously completed by GPs. Information was sought on awareness and knowledge of FH including, diagnosis, inheritance, prevalence, cardiovascular risk, management practices and opinions on FH screening.


RESULTS
191 GPs completed the survey, 62% were familiar with FH, 80% correctly defined FH and 68% identified the typical lipid profile, but only 33% were aware of national guidelines. There were knowledge deficits in prevalence, inheritance, and clinical features of FH, with correct responses in 27%, 45% and 38%, respectively. Most (84%) GPs considered themselves the most effective health professionals to detect FH, with 90% preferring laboratory interpretative commenting to highlight individuals at risk of FH. GPs identified appropriate cholesterol lowering drugs as mono (95%) or combination therapies (74%).


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of GPs considered they were the most effective health practitioners for managing FH and preferred laboratory reports to alert them of possible FH. Although GPs knowledge of cholesterol lowering therapies was good, their awareness of national guidelines, hereditability, prevalence and diagnostic features of FH was suboptimal. Implementing a community model of care for FH requires more extensive GP education.
Lipid Disorders Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia; School of Medicine & Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. Electronic address: damon.bell@health.wa.gov.au.
Damon A
DA
Bell
Clinical Lead, Cardiovascular Health Network, DoHWA and Hospital Liaison GP, Royal Perth Hospital, Australia.
Jacquie
J
Garton-Smith
Primary Health Care - General Practice, SPARHC, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
Alistair
A
Vickery
Rural Clinical School of Western Australia, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
Andrew B
AB
Kirke
School of Medicine & Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
Jing
J
Pang
Lipid Disorders Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia; School of Medicine & Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
Timothy R
TR
Bates
Lipid Disorders Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia; School of Medicine & Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
Gerald F
GF
Watts
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Awareness; Familial hypercholesterolaemia; General practitioner; Knowledge; Management practices