Serrat-Costa M, Coll de Tuero G, Bertran Noguer C, Martí Lluch R, Ramos Blanes R, Baltasar Bagué A, Ricart W. Arterial hypertension diagnosis: A problem?
HIPERTENSION Y RIESGO VASCULAR 2022;
40:58-64. [PMID:
36372649 DOI:
10.1016/j.hipert.2022.09.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Arterial hypertension (AHT), a leading risk factor in terms of attributable mortality, is a major public health problem, especially for primary care where most patients are diagnosed and followed up. Correct AHT diagnosis requires adequate theoretical knowledge and technical skills in physicians and nurses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and skills used in initial AHT diagnosis by health professionals and to describe the factors that contribute to variability.
METHODOLOGY
Cross-sectional observational study in a sample of 385 primary care physicians and nurses recruited in a Catalan health region. Using a validated questionnaire called ARC, we evaluated theoretical knowledge and analysed factors that may contribute to response variability. We also evaluated practical measurement skills using objective structured clinical examination tests.
RESULTS
Medical and nursing primary care professionals had deficient knowledge and skills for initial AHT diagnosis and measurement, despite self-perceiving their knowledge to be sufficient. However, professionals who had received postgraduate or other AHT training in the previous year scored better in the ARC questionnaire.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study point to insufficient AHT expertise to ensure quality clinical practice, suggesting that ongoing theoretical and practical training needs to be improved.
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