# Managing physician lipid management: a population wide, risk-based decision support approach

## TL;DR

A new risk-based approach to managing LDL levels in patients was found to be more effective than a universal target, leading to lower LDL levels across a primary care population.

## Contribution

The study introduces a risk-based decision support system for LDL management that successfully influences provider and patient behavior.

## Key findings

- LDL levels decreased across the primary care population using the risk-based approach.
- Clinical decision aids tailored to individual patient characteristics can stimulate behavior change in providers and patients.

## Abstract

Successful implementation of clinical guidelines for preventing complications of dyslipidemias has been an ongoing challenge. The article by Vinker and colleagues in this journal investigates the results of implementing risk-based guidelines for LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) management in comparison to the prior approach of using the same LDL cutoff for patients at all levels of risk. Results show LDL levels dropped across the primary care population using the new risk-based approach, suggesting that clinical decision aids that link to individual patient characteristics, rather than promoting a universal target for all, may provide a particularly strong stimulus for changing provider and patient behavior. Results also challenge healthcare organizations, providers and patients to learn more about the pathway from guidelines to clinical reminders and from reminders to lower LDL levels and better population health.