Differences Between Primary Care Physicians and Cardiologists in Management of Congestive Heart Failure: Relation to Practice Guidelines 11This work was supported in part by unrestricted grants from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Princeton, New Jersey; Burroughs Wellcome Co., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; Merck & Co., West Point, Pennsylvania; and the Department of Veterans Affairs Research Service.22All editorial decisions for this article, including selection of referees, were made by a Guest Editor. This policy applies to all articles with authors from the University of California in San Francisco.

摘要: Abstract Objectives. This study was designed to characterize physician practices in the management of congestive heart failure (CHF) and determine whether these vary by specialty how they relate guideline recommendations. Background. Congestive is responsible for considerable mortality, morbidity health care resource utilization. Although there have been important advances diagnostic evaluation treatment CHF, little information available on this area. Methods. We surveyed physicians concerning their patients with CHF. The results were analyzed multivariate models relation approaches specialty, time since training, board certification volume Surveys sent a sample 2,250 family general practitioners (FP/GPs), internists cardiologists. Responses examined guidelines issued Agency Health Care Policy Research that had released 9 months previously. Results. Significant differences found between groups regard each major For example, routine left ventricular function, point emphasis guideline, performed 87% cardiologists, but only 77% 63% FP/GPs (p Conclusions. Cardiologists report more conformity published CHF than do FP/GPs. Because large numbers substantial cost care, may impact outcomes costs.