The value of the consultation in treating cardiovascular disease
Research from California and Iowa support the value of added time with a qualified healthcare professional.
First, the details.
- From California, the contribution of a nurse- and dietitian-led patient care program for reducing major cardiovascular disease risk factors in 49 low-income, primarily ethnic minority patients in a county health care system, 63% of whom had type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- Examples of risk factor for cardiovascular disease include smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, obesity and overweight, diabetes mellitus, and too much alcohol.
- In Iowa, a physician and pharmacist collaborated to improve blood pressure control in 402 patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure.
And, the results.
- In California, the Framingham risk score was significantly better among patients under the care of the nurse and dietitian vs patients that didn’t have this component of care.
- In Iowa, the average decreased in blood pressure was 21/10 mmHg in the physician/pharmacist group compared to 7/5 mmHg in the other patients.
The bottom line?
In both studies the contribution of added time with healthcare providers who have expertise the treating cardiovascular disease resulted in better patient care.
I see a parallel with homeopathy where the consultation is itself a therapeutic intervention that contributes to the positive outcome of homeopathic treatments.
1/16/10 23:53 JR