Limited data suggest that systematic risk assessment for CVD has no statistically significant effects on clinical endpoints .
There is limited evidence to suggest that CVD systematic risk assessment may have some favourable effects on cardiovascular risk factors .
BACKGROUND Screening programmes can potentially identify people at high cardiovascular risk and reduce cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) morbidity and mortality .
However , there is currently not enough evidence showing clear clinical or economic benefits of systematic screening-like programmes over the widely practised opportunistic risk assessment of CVD in primary care setting s. OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this review was to assess the effectiveness , costs and adverse effects of systematic risk assessment compared to opportunistic risk assessment for the primary prevention of CVD .
Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial: the feasibility and impact of cardiovascular absolute risk assessment in Australian general practice.
BACKGROUND Although cardiovascular absolute risk ( CVAR ) assessment has been recommended for use in Australian general practice for a number of years , there is continuing uncertainty about its implementation and impact . Our previous work has developed a multifaceted implementation model . This study aims to investigate both the feasibility of using this model and the impact of CVAR assessment and management on general practice clinical processes and patient care . STUDY DESIGN This cluster r and omized controlled trial will be conducted in general practice s in Sydney , involving general practitioners ( GPs ) , other practice staff , and patients aged 45 to 69 years without existing cardiovascular disease . METHODS A total of 32 practice s ( 40 GPs ) and 1,320 patients will be recruited . R and omization will be conducted at the practice level . The intervention group of GPs will be trained to use a CVAR implementation model , whereas the control group of GPs will continue usual care . Study outcomes include clinical processes , patient risk , use of lifestyle intervention , and prescription of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering medications .  Data will be collected and analyzed using mixed methods . Study outcomes before and after the intervention will be compared , and the 2 groups will also be compared after adjusting for baseline difference and clustering factors . DISCUSSION This trial will be the first study in Australian general practice and one of few international studies to evaluate the impact of implementing CVAR assessment and management . Results of this study will help improve the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and inform guidelines for clinical practice and the implementation of other health initiatives
Limited data suggest that systematic risk assessment for CVD has no statistically significant effects on clinical endpoints .
There is limited evidence to suggest that CVD systematic risk assessment may have some favourable effects on cardiovascular risk factors .
BACKGROUND Screening programmes can potentially identify people at high cardiovascular risk and reduce cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) morbidity and mortality .
However , there is currently not enough evidence showing clear clinical or economic benefits of systematic screening-like programmes over the widely practised opportunistic risk assessment of CVD in primary care setting s. OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this review was to assess the effectiveness , costs and adverse effects of systematic risk assessment compared to opportunistic risk assessment for the primary prevention of CVD .