PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Isabelle Durack-Bown AU - Philippe Giral AU - Jean-François d'Ivernois AU - Cecile Bazin AU - Rita Chadarevian AU - Asri Benkritly AU - Eric Bruckert TI - Patients' and physicians' perceptions and experience of hypercholesterolaemia: a qualitative study. DP - 2003 Nov 01 TA - British Journal of General Practice PG - 851--857 VI - 53 IP - 496 4099 - http://bjgp.org/content/53/496/851.short 4100 - http://bjgp.org/content/53/496/851.full SO - Br J Gen Pract2003 Nov 01; 53 AB - BACKGROUND: A better understanding of patients' and physicians' perceptions and experience of hypercholesterolaemia will help to improve cardiovascular disease prevention and aid the development of appropriate educational strategies. AIM: To identify perceptions, experience, educational needs, and barriers to learning in hypercholesterolaemic patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease. DESIGN OF STUDY: A qualitative study involving interviews with 27 hypercholesterolaemic outpatients and 21 physicians. SETTING: 21 centres in Paris, Bordeaux and Lille. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted by a sociologist with the aid of two interview guides focusing on hypercholesterolaemia. Interviews were recorded and subsequently transcribed, and qualitative analysis was performed to identify emerging themes. RESULTS: Six main themes emerged: understanding hypercholesterolaemia--a 'virtual' disease; understanding cardiovascular risk--a vague concept; lifestyle measures; long-term effects of medication; medical language difficulties; and patients' expectations and needs. Patients and physicians disagreed over the terms used to describe hypercholesterolaemia and cardiovascular risk, and the complexities of medical language. In contrast, patients and physicians agreed on the difficulties associated with implementing lifestyle changes and adhering to long-term treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in perception and experience between physicians and patients indicate that physician-patient communication is sub-optimal and highlights the need to improve educational material for cardiovascular disease prevention. This analysis helps to identify appropriate educational objectives and methods for patients at risk of cardiovascular disease, and develop a structured educational programme.