Postal prompts do not improve secondary prevention of coronary events

After a coronary event many patients do not get effective treatment after discharge. On p 1522 Feder et al report on a trial of postal prompts to such patients and their general practitioners. These prompts summarised preventive measures and recommended further discussion between patients and their general practitioners. Although patients in the intervention practices had more consultations for coronary heart disease than patients in the control practices, there was no improvement in the prescribing of effective drug treatment. Measurement of cholesterol concentrations was increased, as was systematic recording of cardiovascular risk factors. The investigators conclude that postal prompts are not sufficient for improving the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in general practice, even in localities where guidelines have been disseminated.

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Relevant Article

Effect of postal prompts to patients and general practitioners on the quality of primary care after a coronary event (POST): randomised controlled trial

Gene Feder, Chris Griffiths, Sandra Eldridge, and Matthew Spence
BMJ 1999 318: 1522-1526. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]