JAMA · 1971 · 30 citations · 1 references
MedicineCardiologyInternal MedicineClinical MedicinePhysical ExaminationPrimary CareBlood Pressure ControlBlood Pressure ManagementHypertension ManagementHypertensive DisordersPatient AssessmentPopulation ScreeningArterial Blood Pressure MeasurementBlood PressureHypertension DiagnosisHypertension ScreeningHypertension SurveillanceHypertensive Disorder AssessmentHypertensive Disorders ScreeningPopulation Blood Pressure Screening
Patterns of patient care were evaluated retrospectively from the records of 994 patients hospitalized at a university hospital, a community hospital, and two Veterans Administration hospitals. Arterial pressure was not obtained by the admitting physician in 26% of the patients; and in those in whom a blood pressure was recorded, it was elevated in 18%. Of 200 patients discharged with the primary diagnosis of hypertension, the history, physical examination, and diagnostic evaluation were clearly inadequate. Thus, unless physician-recognition and adequate evaluation are improved (through education) the practice of massive public health screening programs seems pointless.
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