Primary Care Physician Perspectives Research Articles

Management of chronic kidney disease: perspectives of Brazilian primary care physicians.

To investigate primary care physicians' knowledge of and attitudes toward care for chronic kidney disease patients. In Brazil, care for chronic kidney disease, a global public health problem, is provided by the Brazilian National Health System, which is organized around primary care. The study aimed to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of primary care physicians about the management of chronic kidney disease. This research is based on quantitative and qualitative data. The participants were 92 physicians from 81 primary care units located in eight cities of the São Paulo/Brazil health region, who answered a self-administered questionnaire. Only 59% and 58% of the physicians recognized smoking and obesity, respectively, as risk factors for chronic kidney disease. Health appointments and drug therapy predominated as disease prevention strategies and less than 30% mentioned multiprofessional care and health education groups. For early diagnosis, isolated serum creatinine was the most used test and 64.6% stated they classified the disease stages. Exclusive follow-up in primary care decreased from 79% in stage 1 to 19.5% in stage 3B and the patients' monitoring in the healthcare network varied from 8.7% in stage 1 to 70.6% in stages 4 and 5ND, suggesting early referrals and lack of referral at the necessary stages. Access to information on the referred patient was, predominantly, through the patient's report and 74% of the physicians did not have matrix support regarding chronic kidney disease. The study showed that the healthcare teams need to update their knowledge and procedures to be able to provide a comprehensive and efficient approach to treating chronic kidney disease in primary care.

A Primary Care Provider's Guide to Shoulder Pain After Spinal Cord Injury.

Shoulder pain is a common occurrence after spinal cord injury (SCI) and can have significant negative effects on health and function as many individuals with SCI are reliant on their upper extremities for mobility and self-care activities. Shoulder pain after SCI can be caused by acute injury or chronic pathology, but it is most often related to overuse injuries of the rotator cuff. Both acute strain and chronic overuse shoulder injuries in persons with SCI typically result from increased weight bearing on the upper extremities during transfers, weight-relief raises, and wheelchair propulsion, which are often performed in poor postural alignment owing to strength deficits. This article discusses management of patients with SCI who present with shoulder pain from the perspective of primary care physicians including evaluation and diagnostic procedures, interventions appropriate for both acute and chronic shoulder pain, and strategies for prevention.

Primary care physician perspectives on barriers to diagnosing axial Spondyloarthritis: a qualitative study

BackgroundThe average delay in diagnosis for patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is 7 to 10 years. Factors that contribute to this delay are multifactorial and include the lack of diagnostic criteria (although classification criteria exist) for axSpA and the difficulty in distinguishing inflammatory back pain, a key symptom of axSpA, from other highly prevalent forms of low back pain. We sought to describe reasons for diagnostic delay for axSpA provided by primary care physicians.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative research study which included 18 US primary care physicians, balanced by gender. Physicians provided informed consent to participate in an in-depth interview (< 60 min), conducted in person (n = 3) or over the phone (n = 15), in 2019. The analysis focuses on thoughts about factors contributing to diagnostic delay in axSpA.ResultsPhysicians noted that the disease characteristics contributing to diagnostic delay include: back pain is common and axSpA is less prevalent, slow progression of axSpA, intermittent nature of axSpA pain, and in the absence of abnormal radiographs of the spine or sacroiliac joints, there is no definitive test for axSpA. Patient characteristics believed to contribute to diagnostic delay included having multiple conditions in need of attention, infrequent interactions with the health care system, and “doctor shopping.” Doctors noted that patients wait until the last moments of the clinical encounter to discuss back pain. Problematic physician characteristics included lack of rapport with patients, lack of setting appropriate expectations, and attribution of back pain to other factors. Structural/system issues included short appointments, lack of continuity of care, insufficient insurance coverage for tests, lack of back pain clinics, and a shortage of rheumatologists.ConclusionPrimary care physicians agreed that lengthy axSpA diagnosis delays are challenging to address owing to the multifactorial causes (e.g., disease characteristics, patient characteristics, lack of definitive tests, system factors).

New York State Primary Care Physician Practices and Perspectives on Offering Reproductive Health Services.

New York State Primary Care Physician Practices and Perspectives on Offering Reproductive Health Services.

Perspectives of primary care physicians and pharmacists on interprofessional collaboration in Kuwait: A quantitative study.

Collaborative practice between physicians and pharmacists has a positive effect on healthcare outcomes. Understanding the local data related to this collaboration is vital in establishing efficient collaboration. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the collaborative relationships between physicians and pharmacists working in the primary healthcare centres regarding their attitudes and experiences, preferred methods of communication, perceptions related to the role of pharmacists, areas of potential further collaboration, and perceived barriers. A cross-sectional study was conducted using two parallel pretested self-administered questionnaires on a sample of 518 randomly selected physicians and pharmacists. Descriptive and comparative analyses were used in data analysis. The overall response rate was 86.3%. Although over 98% of respondents agreed that physician-pharmacist collaboration improves patient outcomes, more than half of the physicians (52.1%) and pharmacists (55.7%) had never practised collaboratively. Both groups preferred to communicate face-to-face (76.7%) or via telephone (76.5%). Both professions showed good agreement on pharmacists’ roles related to managing side effects, improving adherence, assisting in dosage adjustment, providing advice regarding drug interactions, and providing drug information to physicians. They indicated disagreements on the importance of dispensing of prescriptions and providing advice to physicians regarding modification of drug therapy. Both groups expressed overall positive perceptions of the potential for further collaboration in areas related to the clinical roles of pharmacists, which were significantly higher among those with practice experience of < 10 years and those aged < 40 years (p<0.05). The top four perceived barriers to collaborative practice were lack of time (84.1%), lack of financial compensation (76.3%), lack of face-to-face communication (68.9%), and the possible fragmentation of patient care by the involvement of multiple healthcare professionals (68.9%). The present findings provide valuable input that could be a catalyst to enhance or establish physician-pharmacist collaboration in primary healthcare settings in Kuwait.

Unburdening dementia – a basic social process grounded theory based on a primary care physician survey from 25 countries

Objective To explore dementia management from a primary care physician perspective. Design One-page seven-item multiple choice questionnaire; free text space for every item; final narrative question of a dementia case story. Inductive explorative grounded theory analysis. Derived results in cluster analyses. Appropriateness of dementia drugs assessed by tertiary care specialist. Setting Twenty-five European General Practice Research Network member countries. Subjects Four hundred and forty-five key informant primary care physician respondents of which 106 presented 155 case stories. Main outcome measures Processes and typologies of dementia management. Proportion of case stories with drug treatment and treatment according to guidelines. Results Unburdening dementia – a basic social process – explained physicians’ dementia management according to a grounded theory analysis using both qualitative and quantitative data. Unburdening starts with Recognizing the dementia burden by Burden Identification and Burden Assessment followed by Burden Relief. Drugs to relieve the dementia burden were reported for 130 of 155 patients; acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or memantine treatment in 89 of 155 patients – 60% appropriate according to guidelines and 40% outside of guidelines. More Central and Northern primary care physicians were allowed to prescribe, and more were engaged in dementia management than Eastern and Mediterranean physicians according to cluster analyses. Physicians typically identified and assessed the dementia burden and then tried to relieve it, commonly by drug prescriptions, but also by community health and home help services, mentioned in more than half of the case stories. Conclusions Primary care physician dementia management was explained by an Unburdening process with the goal to relieve the dementia burden, mainly by drugs often prescribed outside of guideline indications. Implications: Unique data about dementia management by European primary care physicians to inform appropriate stakeholders. Key points Dementia as a syndrome of cognitive and functional decline and behavioural and psychological symptoms causes a tremendous burden on patients, their families, and society. •We found that a basic social process of Unburdening dementia explained dementia management according to case stories and survey comments from primary care physicians in 25 countries. •First, Burden Recognition by Identification and Assessment and then Burden Relief – often by drugs. •Prescribing physicians repeatedly broadened guideline indications for dementia drugs. The more physicians were allowed to prescribe dementia drugs, the more they were responsible for the dementia work-up. Our study provides unique data about dementia management in European primary care for the benefit of national and international stakeholders.

Roles and recommendations from primary care physicians towards managing low-risk breast cancer survivors in a shared-care model with specialists in Singapore-a qualitative study.

BackgroundBreast cancer is prevalent and has high cure rates. The resultant increase in numbers of breast cancer survivors (BCS) may overwhelm the current oncology workforce in years to come. We postulate that primary care physicians (PCPs) could play an expanded role in comanaging survivors, provided they are given the appropriate tools and training to do so.ObjectiveTo explore the perspectives of PCPs towards managing BCS in a community-based shared-care programme with oncologists.MethodsEleven focus groups and six in-depth interviews were conducted with seventy PCPs recruited by purposive sampling. All sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded by three independent investigators. Thematic data analysis was performed and the coding process facilitated by NVivo 12.ResultsMajority of PCPs reported currently limited roles in managing acute and non-cancer issues, optimizing comorbidities and preventive care. PCPs aspired to expand their role to include cancer surveillance, risk assessment and addressing unmet psychosocial needs. PCPs preferred to harmonize cancer survivorship management of their primary care patients who are also BCS, with defined role distinct from oncologists. Training to understand the care protocol, enhancement of communication skills, confidence and trust were deemed necessary. PCPs proposed selection criteria of BCS and adequacy of their medical information; increased consultation time; contact details and timely access to oncologists (if needed) in the shared-care programme.ConclusionsPCPs were willing to share the care of BCS with oncologists but recommended role definition, training, clinical protocol, resources and access to oncologist’s consultation to optimize the programme implementation.

Primary Care Physician Perspectives on Caring for Adult Survivors of Hematologic Malignancies and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

BackgroundPrimary care physicians (PCPs) may face barriers to caring for hematologic malignancy and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) survivors. MethodsA Web-based survey consisting of 40 questions and 2 case scenarios was administered to 302 PCPs at 2 large integrated health care systems. The questionnaire assessed perceived barriers to delivery of care to hematologic malignancy/HCT survivors, resources available to care for cancer survivors, practices for care coordination with hematologist-oncologists, and preferred models of care delivery. ResultsOverall response rate was 30% (n = 86). PCPs reported several barriers such as lack of resources to facilitate care (69%), lack of awareness of screening/prevention guidelines (55%) and psychosocial needs of survivors (65%), inadequate time (65%), and patient preference to follow up with their oncologists (66%). They expressed confidence in caring for general medical issues (84%) and general cancer screening (73%), but they preferred that oncologists manage cancer-related medical issues (42%) as well as screen for cancer recurrence (52%) and secondary cancers (55%). In multivariable analysis, PCPs who had previously cared for a large number of hematologic malignancy/HCT survivors and those with a longer time since graduation from medical school had greater confidence in managing cancer-related medical issues. ConclusionPCPs report several barriers in providing care to hematologic malignancy/HCT survivors. Clinical experience with this patient population is associated with greater confidence in providing survivorship care. Several barriers identified by PCPs in providing survivorship care to hematologic malignancy/HCT survivors are potentially addressable by education and clinical decision support tools and guidelines, thereby enhancing the patients’ clinical experience and care coordination with hematologist-oncologists.

Atrial fibrillation care in rural communities: a mixed methods study of physician and patient perspectives

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a serious heart arrhythmia associated with devastating outcomes such as stroke. Inequitable rural AF care may put patients at risk. Virtually delivered specialty AF care offers a viable option, but stakeholder perceptions of this option within the context of rural AF care is unknown. The study purpose was to obtain patient and primary care physician perspectives of rural AF care and virtually delivered AF care as a potential option.MethodsUsing a mixed methods design, AF patients (n = 101) and physicians (n = 15) from three rural communities participated in focus groups and/or surveys. Focus group data were thematically analyzed, survey data were descriptively analyzed, and data were triangulated.ResultsFindings captured patients’ and physicians’ perceptions of prioritized, needs, concerns and problems in AF management, available/unavailable services, and their ideas about virtual AF care. Patients and physicians identified eclectic problems in managing AF. Overall, patients felt ill informed about managing their AF and their most salient problems related to fatigue, exercise intolerance, weight maintenance, sleep apnea, and worry about stroke and bleeding. Physicians found treating patients with co-morbidities and cognitive decline problematic and balancing risks related to anticoagulation challenging. Patients and physicians identified education as a pressing need, which physicians lacked time and resources to meet. Despite available rural services, access to primary and cardiology care was a recurring challenge, and emergency department (ED) use highly contentious but often the only option for accessing care. Physicians’ managed AF care and varied in the referrals they made, often reserving them for complex situations to avoid patient travel. Patients and providers supported a broad approach to virtual AF care, tailored to an inclusive rural patient demographic.ConclusionsThe study offered valuable physician and patient perspectives on AF care in rural communities including diverse management challenges, gaps in access to primary and specialty services that made ED an often used but contentious option. Findings point to the potential value of virtual care designed to reach patients with AF across the spectrum and geared to local contexts that preserve the vital role of primary care physicians in AF care in their communities.

1075 Primary Care and Specialty Physician Perspectives on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Screening, Diagnosis, and Referral

INTRODUCTION: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in the developed world. It is associated with cardiovascular risks, malignancy and poor health-related quality of life. It is often under-recognized and undertreated by primary care providers (PCPs), leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Our study aims to assess PCP awareness of NAFLD risk factors, diagnosis and treatments, as well as their referral patterns to specialty care. METHODS: An anonymous provider survey was developed by 2 hepatologists, to assess PCPs’ perspectives on NAFLD disease knowledge, diagnosis, management, and referral of patients to sub-specialty care. Primary care and sub-specialty providers from Internal Medicine, Medicine-Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Geriatrics, Cardiology and Endocrinology, who spend &gt;25% of their time in adult clinical care, were included. Descriptive statistics (means for continuous data, percentages for categorical data) were used. RESULTS: A total of 438 physicians completed the survey: 83 Michigan Medicine, 18 Beaumont Health and 337 ACP physicians. 99.5% physicians reported most/some of their patients likely have NAFLD, while 19% strongly agreed to the role of screening for NAFLD. Most common associated comorbidities identified by PCPs were diabetes, obesity and hyperlipidemia. Comorbidities prompting screening most often were NAFLD family history, diabetes, and obesity. Hepatic function tests and liver ultrasound were the most frequently used screening tools. Only 22.6% of providers used non-invasive serum-based staging, and 23% used fibroscan. 67% providers referred few/none of their patients to specialists, with mainly advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis patients being referred. Most common barriers to PCP NAFLD evaluation and treatment included uncertainty of NAFLD treatments (47.3%) and low priority (30.8%). 74% providers reported no change in statin prescription. CONCLUSION: Despite the high rates of NAFLD in primary care, the rate of NAFLD screening and referral to specialty care is surprisingly low. Additionally, non-invasive tests for staging hepatic fibrosis are underutilized, which means that high-risk NAFLD patients with advanced fibrosis are likely overlooked. Important barriers to be addressed include improving NAFLD recognition, as well as disease assessment and knowledge of NAFLD treatment. Emphasis should be placed on early referral before patients reach advanced cirrhosis.

Primary Care Physicians in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS): a Qualitative Investigation of Participants' Experiences, Self-Reported Practice Changes, and Suggestions for Program Administrators.

While both administrators of pay-for-performance programs and practicing physicians strive to improve healthcare quality, they sometimes disagree on the best approach. The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 mandated the creation of the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), a program that incentivizes more than 700,000physician participants to report on four domains of care, including healthcare quality. While MIPS performance scores were recently released, little is known about how primary care physicians (PCPs) and their practices are being affected by the program and what actions they are taking in response to MIPS. To (1) describe PCP perspectives and self-reported practice changes related to quality measurement under MIPS and (2) disseminate PCP suggestions for improving the program. Qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews. Twenty PCPs trained in internal medicine or family medicine who were expected to report under MIPS for calendar year 2017 were interviewed between October 2017 and June 2018. Eight PCPs self-reported to be knowledgeable about MIPS. Seven PCPs worked in small practices. Most PCPs identified advantages of quality measurement under MIPS, including the creation of practice-level systems for quality improvement. However, they also cited disadvantages, including administrative burdens and fears that practices serving vulnerable patients could be penalized. Many participants reported using technology or altering staffing to help with data collection and performance improvement. A few participants were considering selling small practices or joining larger ones to avoid administrative tasks. Suggestions for improving MIPS included simplifying the program to reduce administrative burdens, protecting practices serving vulnerable populations, and improving communication between program administrators and PCPs. MIPS is succeeding in nudging PCPs to develop quality measurement and improvement systems, but PCPs are concerned that administrative burdens are leading to the diversion of clinical resources away from patient-centered care and negatively impacting patient and clinician satisfaction. Program administrators should improve communication with participants and consider simplifying the program to make it less burdensome. Future work should be done to investigate how technical assistance programs can target PCPs that serve vulnerable patient populations and are having difficulty adapting to MIPS.

Physician Perceptions about the Barriers to Prompt Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease.

Prior studies have identified numerous barriers to the prompt diagnosis of patients with suspected Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of the study was to evaluate physician's perceptions of the importance of previously identified barriers to diagnosis, but with a specific focus on the presentation of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which may be indicative of neurodegenerative disorders such as AD. A second aim was to evaluate how the perspective of primary care physicians (PCPs) may differ from that of specialists. A cross-sectional online survey of PCPs and specialists who routinely manage patients with complaints of age-related cognitive impairment was conducted. Participants were asked to identify barriers to prompt diagnosis from prespecified lists of known diagnostic challenges categorized into 4 domains: patient-related, physician-related, setting-related, and those relating to the clinical profile of AD. Physicians report a range of barriers when attempting to diagnose MCI and AD. Major themes included patients seeing cognitive decline as a normal part of aging and not disclosing symptoms, long waiting lists, and a lack of treatment options and definitive biomarker tests. Generally, PCPs and specialists showed broad agreement; however, PCPs were more likely to identify burdens on the healthcare system, such as long waiting lists and inadequate time to evaluate patients. Substantial barriers continue to hinder early diagnosis of MCI and AD. There are numerous areas where improvements might be made but the implementation of potential interventions will likely be associated with financial strain for many healthcare systems.

Saúde de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais: da Formação Médica à Atuação Profissional

RESUMO Introdução A população LGBT (lésbicas, gays, bissexuais, travestis e transexuais) está inserida em um contexto peculiar com relação ao grau de vulnerabilidade à saúde, trazendo desafios para a consolidação do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) enquanto sistema universal, integral e equitativo. Com isso, as práticas médicas para implementação de ações direcionadas ao cuidado LGBT podem contribuir de forma substancial para a melhoria da qualidade do acesso aos serviços básicos de saúde, porém perpassam a formação e o ensino médicos. Objetivo Analisar a formação médica para assistência à saúde da população LGBT, na perspectiva de médicos que atuam na atenção básica. Métodos Trata-se de uma pesquisa de caráter exploratório e descritivo, de análise qualitativa, sendo considerados sujeitos-chave 14 médicos que atuam na atenção básica. Para isto, utilizou-se a entrevista semiestruturada para a coleta e o Método de Interpretação dos Sentidos para a produção dos dados. Resultados Emergiram duas categorias, sendo que a primeira trouxe a importância da construção do saber médico-científico para a saúde LGBT, apontando as deficiências desde a formação curricular do curso de Medicina até as capacitações que deveriam ser ofertadas pelos serviços. Já a segunda categoria mostrou o delineamento das fragilidades no cotidiano do cuidado à saúde LGBT, apontando as realidades na assistência à saúde LGBT nas unidades de saúde. Conclusão Percebe-se a urgência na divulgação e implementação da Política Nacional de Saúde LGBT como ferramenta efetiva para promover os direitos humanos entre os profissionais médicos desde a graduação até a atuação profissional.

Factors for Supporting Primary Care Physician Engagement With Patient Apps for Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management That Link to Primary Care: Interview Study.

BackgroundThe health burden of type 2 diabetes can be mitigated by engaging patients in two key aspects of diabetes care: self-management and regular contact with health professionals. There is a clear benefit to integrating these aspects of care into a single clinical tool, and as mobile phone ownership increases, apps become a more feasible platform. However, the effectiveness of online health interventions is contingent on uptake by health care providers, which is typically low. There has been little research that focuses specifically on barriers and facilitators to health care provider uptake for interventions that link self-management apps to the user’s primary care physician (PCP).ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore PCP perspectives on proposed features for a self-management app for patients with diabetes that would link to primary care services.MethodsResearchers conducted 25 semistructured interviews. The interviewer discussed potential features that would link in with the patient’s primary care services. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded. Framework analysis and the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist were employed to ensure rigor.ResultsOur analysis indicated that PCP attitudes toward proposed features for an app were underpinned by perceived roles of (1) diabetes self-management, (2) face-to-face care, and (3) the anticipated burden of new technologies on their practice. Theme 1 explored PCP perceptions about how an app could foster patient independence for self-management behaviors but could also increase responsibility and liability for the PCP. Theme 2 identified beliefs underpinning a commonly expressed preference for face-to-face care. PCPs perceived information was more motivating, better understood, and presented with greater empathy when delivered face to face rather than online. Theme 3 described how most PCPs anticipated an initial increase in workload while they learned to use a new clinical tool. Some PCPs accepted this burden on the basis that the change was inevitable as health care became more integrated. Others reported potential benefits were outweighed by effort to implement an app. This study also identified how app features can be positively framed, highlighting potential benefits for PCPs to maximize PCP engagement, buy-in, and uptake. For example, PCPs were more positive when they perceived that an app could facilitate communication and motivation between consultations, focus on building capacity for patient independence, and reinforce rather than replace in-person care. They were also more positive about app features that were automated, integrated with existing software, flexible for different patients, and included secondary benefits such as improved documentation.ConclusionsThis study provided insight into PCP perspectives on a diabetes app integrated with primary care services. This was observed as more than a technological change; PCPs were concerned about changes in workload, their role in self-management, and the nature of consultations. Our research highlighted potential facilitators and barriers to engaging PCPs in the implementation process.

Acceptability and Use of Evidence-Based Practices for Firearm Storage in Pediatric Primary Care

ObjectivePromoting safe firearm storage in pediatric primary care is one way to address youth suicide by firearm. The study objective was to determine the perspectives of primary care physicians (PCPs) and leaders of primary care practices regarding the acceptability and use of screening, counseling, and firearm locks—all components of an adapted evidence-based intervention known as the Firearm Safety Check. MethodsIn 2016, an online survey was conducted in two large US health systems. PCPs (n = 204) and leaders (n = 57) from 83 clinics were invited to participate. Respondents included 71 clinics (86%), 103 PCPs (50%), and 40 leaders (70%). Main outcomes included acceptability (6-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating better acceptability) and use of the 3 intervention components (4-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater use), as measured by an adapted validated instrument. ResultsAnalyses were conducted in 2017. PCP acceptability of screening (mean = 4.28; standard deviation [SD] = 1.12) and counseling (mean = 4.56; SD = 0.89) were high, but acceptability for firearm lock provision was more neutral (mean = 3.78; SD = 1.16). Most PCPs endorsed sometimes screening (85%) and counseling (80%). Few PCPs offered firearm locks to caregivers (15%). Leaders reported consistent information. ConclusionThe acceptability of screening for firearms and safe storage counseling was high; both components were used commonly but not routinely. The acceptability of providing firearm locks was neutral, and use was rarely endorsed. This study provides important insights about areas of focus for future implementation efforts from policy and research perspectives.

Primary care physician perspectives on barriers and facilitators to self-management of type 2 diabetes

Abstract Objectives To assess physician perspectives on perceived barriers and facilitators to type 2 diabetes self-management (DSM) in a primary care setting. Methods The study utilized survey methodology to measure perspectives of primary care physicians on DSM and the challenges they face in managing patients with poor glycaemic stability. Demographic and practice site-related information of the physicians were also collected. Key findings Of the 21 physicians who responded (53.8% response rate), 71.2% were aged 50 years or older, 54.2% had ≥25 years of clinical experience, and 50% practiced in an urban setting. The physicians examined 5–60 patients with type 2 diabetes per week (mean = 20), and over 75% of them spent &amp;lt;20 min on face-to-face visits. Approximately, 95% of physicians considered self-care activities such as regular moderate exercise, following a recommended diet, regular blood glucose testing, proper insulin administration and adherence to oral medication as extremely important. Practice-related aspects such as patient–physician communication, patient health literacy and patient follow-up were unanimously considered extremely important, and performance on these measures was rated positively. Interestingly, 66% of physicians felt responsible to some extent for their patient's failure to reach type 2 DSM goals. Physician perceived barriers that contributed to clinical inertia included cost of medications, lack of patient motivation and knowledge, non-compliance with diet and medications, polypharmacy and lack of time and social support. Conclusions The study results underscore the importance of DSM in the overall management of type 2 diabetes. Addressing the challenges faced by physicians may result in better self-management and improved clinical outcomes in type 2 diabetes population.

Management of cardiovascular risk and treatment in patients with atherogenic dyslipidemia. Perspective of primary care physicians. AVANZA study

Management of cardiovascular risk and treatment in patients with atherogenic dyslipidemia. Perspective of primary care physicians. AVANZA study

What is amblyopia? A primary care physician's perspective

What is amblyopia? A primary care physician's perspective

Variation in minimum desired cardiovascular disease-free longevity benefit from statin and antihypertensive medications: a cross-sectional study of patient and primary care physician perspectives

ObjectiveExpressing therapy benefit from a lifetime perspective, instead of only a 10-year perspective, is both more intuitive and of growing importance in doctor–patient communication. In cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, lifetime...

Primary Care Physician Perspectives about Antipsychotics and Other Medications for Symptoms of Dementia.

Guidelines, policies, and warnings have been applied to reduce the use of medications for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Because of rare dangerous side effects, antipsychotics have been singled out in these efforts. However, antipsychotics are still prescribed "off label" to hundreds of thousands of seniors residing in nursing homes and communities. Our objective was to evaluate how and why primary-care physicians (PCPs) employ nonpharmacologic strategies and drugs for BPSD. Semi-structured interviews analyzed via template, immersion and crystallization, and thematic development of 26 PCPs (16 family practice, 10 general internal medicine) in full time primary-care practice for at least 3 years in Northwestern Virginia. PCPs described 4 major themes regarding BPSD management: (1) nonpharmacologic methods have substantial barriers; (2) medication use is not constrained by those barriers and is perceived as easy, efficacious, reasonably safe, and appropriate; (3) pharmacologic policies decrease the use of targeted medications, including antipsychotics, but also have unintended consequences such as increased use of alternative risky medications; and (4) PCPs need practical evidence-based guidelines for all aspects of BPSD management. PCPs continue to prescribe medications because they meet patient-oriented goals and because PCPs perceive drugs, including antipsychotics and their alternatives, to be more effective and less dangerous than evidence suggests. To optimally treat BPSD, PCPs need supportive verified prescribing guidelines and access to nonpharmacologic modalities that are as affordable, available, and efficacious as drugs; these require and deserve significant additional research and payer support. Community PCPs should be included in BPSD policy and guideline development.