Implementing evidence-based guidelines & shared decision-making tools to improve CVD prevention

Dr Carissa Bonner, University of Sydney

2022 Future Leader Fellowship - Level 1

Years funded: 2023-2026

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention guidelines are based on “absolute risk”: the chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years. Lifestyle change is recommended for anyone with risk factors, and prevention medication to lower blood pressure and cholesterol is recommended for people at high risk (>15%). However, many Australians do not have adequate health literacy to access, understand and act on information about their CVD risk. GPs find it difficult to communicate CVD risk and motivate behaviour change. Many high risk patients who could benefit from medication are missed due to the poor application of the current risk assessment guidelines. With 1.4 million Australians at high risk, the cost of this implementation failure has been estimated at $5.4 billion. This research program will:

1. Develop evidence-based risk communication, decision making and behaviour change tools to support revised guidelines
2. Identify implementation strategies, and
3. Develop a new model for implementing such tools in general practice.