Dr Faline Howes, Menzies Research Institute, University of Tasmania Funding: PHCRED Strategy: Researcher Development Program Fellowship Team members: Dr Emily Hansen and Professor Mark Nelson

More than one in four Australians have high blood pressure – or 'hypertension' - which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death. It is also preventable: there is good evidence for the efficacy of anti-hypertensive medications and it is the most frequently managed problem in GP consultations.

This innovative study explored what has become a major concern: despite knowledge about hypertension prevention and management, it often remains undiagnosed, untreated or suboptimally treated. For every one person being treated, there is another untreated person, and of those being treated, only 40 % have adequately controlled hypertension.

This gap between what we know and what we do was explored in focus groups with 30 GPs and registrars. Barriers to day-to-day management of hypertension were identified and included issues about diagnosis, technologies and evidence, and care for patients with multiple, complex and chronic conditions, as well as lack of resourcing and time.
 
This study provided significant new knowledge that has led to a new project to improve implementation of national hypertension management guidelines. This new understanding of the complexity of putting knowledge into practice at the front line will assist national policy planning around prevention and chronic disease challenges.