Among CVRM patients , the results tended towards a beneficial effect of CDSS , but only LDL-c target attainment in diabetes patients reached statistical significance .
Prompting , integration into the electronical health record , patient empowerment , and medication support were related to more effective CVRM .
Conclusion We did not find a clear clinical benefit from CDSS in cardiovascular risk factor levels and target attainment .
Some features of CDSS seem more promising than others .
Clinical relevance of CDSS in CVRM might additionally be sought in the improvement of shared decision making and patient empowerment
Background Cardiovascular risk management ( CVRM ) is notoriously difficult because of multi-morbidity and the different phenotypes and severities of cardiovascular disease .
Computerized decision support systems ( CDSS ) enable the clinician to integrate the latest scientific evidence and patient information into tailored strategies .
The effect on cardiovascular risk factor management is yet to be confirmed .
Improving diabetes processes of care in managed care.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of systematic patient evaluation and patient and provider feedback on the processes and intermediate outcomes of diabetes care in Independent Practice Association model internal medicine practice s. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Nine practice s providing care to managed care patients were r and omly assigned as intervention or comparison sites . Intervention-site subjects had Annual Diabetes Assessment Program ( ADAP ) assessment s ( HbA(1c  ) , blood pressure , lipids , smoking , retinal photos , urine microalbumin , and foot examination ) at years 1 and 2 . Comparison-site subjects had ADAP assessment s at year 2 . At Intervention sites , year 1 ADAP results were review ed with subjects , mailed to providers , and incorporated into electronic medical records with guideline -generated suggestions for treatment and follow-up . Medical records were evaluated for both groups for the year before both the year 1 and year 2 ADAP assessment s. Processes and intermediate outcomes were compared using linear and logistic mixed hierarchical models . RESULTS Of 284 eligible subjects , 103 of 173 ( 60 % ) at the Intervention sites and 71 of 111 ( 64 % ) at the comparison sites participated ; 83 of 103 ( 81 % ) of the intervention-site subjects returned for follow-up at year 2 . Performance of the six recommended assessment s improved in intervention-site subjects at year 2 compared with year 1 ( 5.8 vs. 4.3 , P = 0.0001 ) and compared with comparison-site subjects at year 2 ( 4.2 , P = 0.014 ) . No significant changes were noted in intermediate outcomes . CONCLUSIONS The ADAP significantly improved processes of care but not intermediate outcomes . Additional interventions are needed to improve intermediate outcomes
Among CVRM patients , the results tended towards a beneficial effect of CDSS , but only LDL-c target attainment in diabetes patients reached statistical significance .
Prompting , integration into the electronical health record , patient empowerment , and medication support were related to more effective CVRM .
Conclusion We did not find a clear clinical benefit from CDSS in cardiovascular risk factor levels and target attainment .
Some features of CDSS seem more promising than others .
Clinical relevance of CDSS in CVRM might additionally be sought in the improvement of shared decision making and patient empowerment
Background Cardiovascular risk management ( CVRM ) is notoriously difficult because of multi-morbidity and the different phenotypes and severities of cardiovascular disease .
Computerized decision support systems ( CDSS ) enable the clinician to integrate the latest scientific evidence and patient information into tailored strategies .
The effect on cardiovascular risk factor management is yet to be confirmed .