1. Awareness and Knowledge of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus among Family Medicine Faculty and Residents
Stephen James Kelton, MD; Raymond Bryce Hunt, MD
Mary Louanne Friend, PhD, MN, RN
The University of Alabama
INTRODUCTION
SIGNIFICANCE
METHODS
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease that affects over 100,000 people in the US.
SLE leads to increased risk of organ failure or cardiovascular morbidity and mortality compared to the general public (1).
Early recognition of the disease and close monitoring can decrease damaging effects and greatly improve quality of life.
A recent study indicates that the future shortage of rheumatologists will be more severe than previously predicted with geographic areas such as the Southeast specifically hard hit, with a current 60,087 adult patients per rheumatologist (2).
Knowledgeable primary care providers will be responsible for the diagnosis and management of mild disease as well as the monitoring of moderate to severe disease (3).
Currently, there are conflicting guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology and the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics. The American Association of Family Practice (AAFP) provides guidance for navigating confusion in diagnosis and treatment.
Prevalence of SLE in the United States was estimated up to 322,000 in 2008.
With a growing population, improved diagnostic criteria, and improved knowledge of the disease state, this number is expected to increase significantly (2).
Early diagnosis and intervention is essential in SLE (3).
The current study will aid in identifying strengths and weaknesses of resident physicians, which can be used to improve didactics or other learning interventions.
IRB approval will be obtained.
The researcher generated questionnaire will be developed based upon current clinical practice guidelines.
Surveys will be administered via Qualtrics to Family Medicine Faculty and Residents at the Tuscaloosa Family Medicine Residency and nationwide.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Goal date for distribution of the survey within the Tuscaloosa Family Medicine Residency is January 15, 2018.
Goal date for distribution to residencies nationwide TBA.
REFERENCES
1. Symmons, Deborah P.M., and Sherine E. Gabriel. "Epidemiology of CVD in rheumatic disease, with a focus on RA and SLE." Nature Reviews Rheumatology, vol. 7, no. 7, 2011, p. 399+
Workforce Study of Rheumatology Specialists in the United States
3.Lam NC, Ghetu MV, Bieniek ML. Systemic lupus erythematosus: primary care approach to diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physician. 2016;94(4):284–294.
AAFP State Physician Workforce Data Book
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to measure Family Medicine Faculty and Resident knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of SLE.
The focus of the questionnaire is to assess the knowledge of the resident in correctly making diagnostic and treatment decisions.