Results were inconsistent for changes in CVD risk factors such as systolic and diastolic blood pressure , total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol , and hemoglobin A1C levels .
CONCLUSIONS CDSSs are effective in improving clinician practice s related to screening and other preventive care services , clinical tests , and treatments .
CONTEXT Clinical decision support systems ( CDSSs ) can help clinicians assess cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk and manage CVD risk factors by providing tailored assessment s and treatment recommendations based on individual patient data .
The goal of this systematic review was to examine the effectiveness of CDSSs in improving screening for CVD risk factors , practice s for CVD-related preventive care services such as clinical tests and prescribed treatments , and management of CVD risk factors .
A prospective controlled trial of computerized decision support for lipid management in primary care.
OBJECTIVES This study aim ed to assess the uptake and effect in primary care of a computerized decision support system ( DSS ) for the management of  hyperlipidaemia .  METHOD A prospect i ve controlled trial was conducted in 25 practice s covering a population of 150,000 in the city of Birmingham . The Primed system , a specialist developed , rule based DSS for general practice , was introduced prospect ively after a 3-month baseline data collection . The main outcome measures were nine months ' data on prescribing of lipid lowering agents ; use of laboratory tests ; and referrals to secondary care for the investigation of hyperlipidaemia . RESULTS System use was lower than expected . A shift was observed towards requests for appropriate follow-up of previously abnormal lipid results and a greater emphasis on full lipid profiles , in line with the DSS guidelines . Referrals showed a 55 % decrease on those expected ( NS ) . The prescribing evaluation revealed a large variation between practice s , but no significant alteration following system use . Views of users favoured decision support as a concept , but criticised technical problems with the system . CONCLUSIONS Greater integration of DSS software and practice based data h and ling systems is needed . The mode of data capture , and hence both the content and form of knowledge representation , in DSS must take greater account of the primary care consultation process if such systems are to be of use to practitioners
Results were inconsistent for changes in CVD risk factors such as systolic and diastolic blood pressure , total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol , and hemoglobin A1C levels .
CONCLUSIONS CDSSs are effective in improving clinician practice s related to screening and other preventive care services , clinical tests , and treatments .
CONTEXT Clinical decision support systems ( CDSSs ) can help clinicians assess cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk and manage CVD risk factors by providing tailored assessment s and treatment recommendations based on individual patient data .
The goal of this systematic review was to examine the effectiveness of CDSSs in improving screening for CVD risk factors , practice s for CVD-related preventive care services such as clinical tests and prescribed treatments , and management of CVD risk factors .