title: Implementation of lipid screening guidelines in children by primary pediatric providers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the awareness and implementation of lipid guidelines among primary pediatric providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey was administered to primary pediatric providers (n = 1488): pediatricians, family medicine/general practitioners, and advanced practitioners (nurse practitioners/physician assistants) in Minnesota. The survey was conducted over 12 weeks in 2012-2013. A multiple-choice questionnaire was used to evaluate the participants' knowledge, screening, and management attitudes regarding pediatric lipid guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall response rate was 39% (n = 548 of 1402 successful e-mails). Respondents were primarily pediatricians and family medicine practitioners (37% each), followed by general practitioners (11%) and advanced practitioners (nurse practitioners, 5.5%; physician assistants, 1.6%). Although 74% of providers reportedly believed that lipid screening and treatment would reduce future cardiovascular risk, 34% performed no screening, 50% screened selectively, and only 16% performed universal screening. Pediatricians were more likely to screen, with 30% performing universal screening and 41% performing selective screening. Among perceived barriers to screening, providers reported uneasiness addressing lipid disorders (43%), and unfamiliarity with screening guidelines (31%). The majority (83%) were uncomfortable managing lipid disorders, and 57% were opposed to the use of lipid-lowering medications in children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings underscore the need to further educate providers and supply easily accessible information on the screening and treatment of childhood lipid disorders.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
authors.forename: Damon B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
authors.forename: Annabel P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Kornblum
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
authors.forename: Lyn M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Steffen
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. Electronic address: stein055@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steinberger
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005194:Family Practice; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008910:Minnesota; D064701:Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; D010372:Pediatrics; D010823:Physician Assistants; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids