Effects of Implementing Personalized Health Education in Ambulatory Care on Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Compliance and Satisfaction with Treatment

Abstract

Aim and Methods: Data from the CARDIOPLUS study (a prospective, multicenter, non-interventional study, which was conducted among patients and physicians from ambulatory patient care in Poland) were used to assess whether primary care behavioral counseling interventions to improve diet, increase physical activity, stop smoking and reduce alcohol consumption improve outcomes associated with cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors, metabolic parameters, compliance and satisfaction with treatment in adults. The study was carried out throughout Poland in the period from July to December 2019. Results: The study included 8667 patients—49% women and 51% men aged (63 ± 11 years)—and 862 physician-researchers. At the 3-month follow-up, there was a significant reduction in body weight (p = 0.008); reduction of peripheral arterial pressure, both systolic (p < 0.001) and diastolic (p < 0.001); reduction in total cholesterol levels (p < 0.001), triglycerides (p < 0.001), and LDL cholesterol (p < 0.001). The percentage of respondents who fully complied with the doctor’s recommendations increased significantly. The respondents assessed their own satisfaction with the implemented treatment as higher (by about 20%). Conclusions: As a result of pro-health education in the field of lifestyle modifications, a significant reduction of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, as well as improved compliance and satisfaction with pharmacological treatment, was observed. Thus, appropriate personalized advice on lifestyle habits should be given to each examinee in a positive, systematic way following the periodic health check-ups in order to reduce the person’s risk and improve the effectiveness of the treatment.