Background: Our objective was to determine the assessment of cardiovascular risk by family physicians. Methods: A questionnaire was sent by mail or fax regarding both awareness and use of the various CV risk scores in southeastern Ontario. Results: Of 181 family physicians surveyed, 96% were aware of at least one CV risk score and 40% were aware of the JUPITER study. Despite this awareness, 72% simply counted risk factors to assess risk, rather than to calculate risk using established scoring methods. Only 23% used the JUPITER study criteria. This suggests an under-estimated of overall CV risk by family physician¡¯s practicing in southeastern Ontario. Interpetation: Cardiovascular risk in primary care is being underestimated in southeastern Ontario. Additional knowledge translation strategies are required to enhance the family physician¡¯s awareness and use of established risk scoring methods if we are to reduce the burden of CV disease.
%K Risk Assessment %K Primary Prevention %K Cardiovascular Disease %U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=39043