Exploring the implemented guidelines for dyslipidemia treatment and care among nurses and physicians in jordanian hospitals

Abstract

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for ischemic heart disease in the world. The last updated American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) and European Society of Cardiology/ European Atherosclerosis Society (ESC/EAS) guidelines for dyslipidemia management aimed to control blood cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk. In Jordan, no national guidelines have been published to date, so these guidelines are commonly used. There are a few studies exploring the implementation of these guidelines in Jordan. Purpose To explore the implementation of updated ACC/AHA and ESC/EAS guidelines for the treatment and care of dyslipidemia among nurses and physicians in Jordan. Methods: A mixed-method study was utilized with a convenience sample from three hospitals in Jordan to provide a comprehensive understanding for the investigated concepts in the current study. The quantitative part, the researcher developed a questionnaire. A questionnaire was completed by 150 nurses and 50 physicians, and moreover, 250 patients' medical records were reviewed. The qualitative part, three focus group with open-ended questions was conducted. Results The total mean scores to implement the guidelines among nurses were (1.67, 1.6 out of 4) for ACC/AHA and ESC/EAS guidelines respectively. The percentages for implementing dyslipidemia management guidelines among physicians were 22.6% consistent with ACC/AHA and 29.6% with ESC/EAS. There were high percentages of uncontrolled lipids among patients with dyslipidemia as observed in medical records. Focus group interviews revealed many barriers, like workload and limited resources and many suggestions to implement dyslipidemia management guidelines. Conclusion Results indicated limited implementation of any dyslipidemia management guidelines among Jordanian nurses and physicians in their clinical practices.