01726nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001100001300042700001800055700001800073700001500091700001700106700001500123700001600138700001700154700001600171700001400187700001800201245008300219300001200302490000700314520114900321022001401470       2017                            d1 aLi Qiang1 aRedfern Julie1 aUsherwood Tim1 aBriffa Tom1 aPeiris David1 aChow Clara1 aHyun Karice1 aAtkins Emily1 aPatel Bindu1 aZwar Nick1 aPatel Anushka00aUtilisation of Medicare-funded schemes for people with cardiovascular disease.  a482-4880 v233 a<p>The aim of this study is to investigate the utilisation of Medicare Benefit Scheme items for chronic disease in the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in general practice and to compare characteristics of CVD patients with and without a General Practice Management Plan (GPMP). Subgroup analysis of Treatment of Cardiovascular Risk using Electronic Decision Support (TORPEDO) baseline data was collected in a cohort comprising 6123 patients with CVD. The mean age (s.d.) was 71 (±13) years, 55% were male, 64% had a recorded diagnosis of coronary heart disease, 31% also had a diagnosis of diabetes and the mean number of general practice (GP) visits (s.d.) was 11 (±9) in 12 months. A total of 1955/6123 (32%) received a GPMP in the 12 months before data extraction; 1% received a Mental Health Plan. Factors associated with greater likelihood of receiving a GPMP were: younger age, had a diagnosis of diabetes, BMI > 30kgm, prescription of blood pressure-lowering therapy and more than ten general practice visits. Enhancing utilisation of existing schemes could augment systematic follow up and support of patients with CVD.</p>  a1448-7527