Development and testing of innovative patient resources for the management of coronary heart disease (CHD): a descriptive study

BACKGROUND: Although heart disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality the majority of patients do not access existing rehabilitation programs and patient resources are not designed to facilitate patient choice and decision-making. The objective of this study was to develop and test a series of risk factor modules and corresponding patient information leaflets for secondary prevention of CHD. METHODS: In phase one, a series of risk factor modules and management options were developed following analysis of literature and interviews with health professionals. In phase two, module information leaflets were developed using published guidelines and interviews of people with CHD. In phase three, the leaflets were tested for quality (DISCERN), readability (Flesch) and suitability (SAM) and were compared to the existing cardiac rehabilitation (CR) information leaflet. Finally, the patients assessed the leaflets for content and relevance. RESULTS: Four key risk factors identified were cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking and physical inactivity. Choice management options were selected for each risk factor and included medical consultation, intensive health professional led program, home program and self direction. Patient information needs were then identified and leaflets were developed. DISCERN quality scores were high for cholesterol (62/80), blood pressure (59/80), smoking (62/80) and physical activity (62/80), all scoring 4/5 for overall rating. The mean Flesch readability score was 75, representing "fairly easy to read", all leaflets scored in the superior category for suitability and were reported to be easy to understand, useful and motivating by persons with CHD risk factors. The developed leaflets scored higher on each assessment than the existing CR leaflets. CONCLUSION: Using a progressive three phase approach, a series of risk factor modules and information leaflets were successfully developed and tested. The leaflets will contribute to shared-decision making and empowerment for persons with CHD

Compliance with standard treatment guidelines in the management of hypertension: a review of practice of healthcare workers in Potchefstroom, North West Province, South Africa

Introduction: Hypertension is a leading lifestyle disease and major cause of morbidity and mortality in South Africa, and globally. Standard Treatment Guidelines are issued in this country to assist healthcare workers in the diagnosis and management thereof. Considering the debilitating effects caused by hypertension, the objectives were to find out whether healthcare workers diagnose and manage hypertension correctly in terms of compliance with the guidelines. Method: A records audit was done of patients newly diagnosed with hypertension between April 2009 and March 2011 from a purposeful sample of clinics and the local hospital, using a data collection tool. The study included all adults above 18 years and excluded all patients with co-morbidity at the time of diagnosis. Results: A total of 475 clinical encounters were analysed. Compliance with diagnosis based on the clinical guideline was 56% and 75% by nurses and doctors respectively. Drug management by doctors was less adherent to guidelines (56.6%) than that of nurses (63.6%) There was overall poor compliance with non-drug management. Conclusions: As the adherence to hypertension guidelines in primary care by healthcare workers in general is suboptimal, continuous professional development in terms of diagnosis, drug and non-drug management is essential. (Full text of the research articles are available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp) S Afr Fam Pract 2017; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2016.127224