Preventive evidence into practice (PEP) study: implementation of guidelines to prevent primary vascular disease in general practice protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial

Authors

Mark Fort Harris, University of New South WalesFollow
Jane Lloyd, University of New South Wales
John Litt, Flinders University
Mieke van Driel, University of Queensland
Danielle Mazza, Monash University
Grant Russell, Monash UniversityFollow
Jane Smith, Bond University
Chris del Mar, Bond University
Elizabeth Denney-Wilson, University of Technology SydneyFollow
Sharon M. Parker, University of New South Wales
Yordanka Krastev, University of Technology Sydney
Upali W. Jayasinghe, University of New South Wales
Richard J. Taylor, University of New South Wales
Nicholas Zwar, University of New South WalesFollow
Jinty Wilson, National Heart Foundation Of Australia
Helen Bolger-Harris, The Royal Australian College Of general Practitioners
Justine Waters, Bupa Foundation

RIS ID

111998

Publication Details

Harris, M. F., Lloyd, J., Litt, J., van Driel, M., Mazza, D., Russell, G., Smith, J., del Mar, C., Denney-Wilson, E., Parker, S., Krastev, Y., Jayasinghe, U. W., Taylor, R., Zwar, N., Wilson, J., Bolger-Harris, H. & Waters, J. (2013). Preventive evidence into practice (PEP) study: implementation of guidelines to prevent primary vascular disease in general practice protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial. Implementation Science, 8 (1), 8-1-8-10.

Abstract

Background: There are significant gaps in the implementation and uptake of evidence-based guideline recommendations for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes in Australian general practice. This study protocol describes the methodology for a cluster randomised trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a model that aims to improve the implementation of these guidelines in Australian general practice developed by a collaboration between researchers, non-government organisations, and the profession.Methods: We hypothesise that the intervention will alter the behaviour of clinicians and patients resulting in improvements of recording of lifestyle and physiological risk factors (by 20%) and increased adherence to guideline recommendations for: the management of CVD and diabetes risk factors (by 20%); and lifestyle and physiological risk factors of patients at risk (by 5%). Thirty-two general practices will be randomised in a 1:1 allocation to receive either the intervention or continue with usual care, after stratification by state. The intervention will be delivered through: small group education; audit of patient records to determine preventive care; and practice facilitation visits adapted to the needs of the practices. Outcome data will be extracted from electronic medical records and patient questionnaires, and qualitative evaluation from provider and patient interviews.Discussion: We plan to disseminate study findings widely and directly inform implementation strategies by governments, professional bodies, and non-government organisations including the partner organisations. 2013 Harris et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.