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Objective: To use patient-level data, clinical information and linked Medicare records to assess the distribution of benefits (rebates) across income groups, including benefits relating to chronic conditions such as the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme (CDDS).Design, setting and participants: Nationally representative, cluster-stratified survey (the Australian Hypertension and Absolute Risk Study) involving 322 general practitioners who each collected clinical data on 15–20 patients aged ≥ 55 years who presented between 1 April 2008 and 30 June 2008 and who consented to have their information linked with Medicare administrative records over 12 months.Main outcome measures: Distribution of total out-of-hospital Medicare expenditure quantified using concentration indices and determinants of use calculated by odds ratios.Results: There were 2862 patients in the study. After controlling for need, the concentration index for overall funding was slightly progressive (pro-poor) at − 0.008 (95% CI, − 0.009 to − 0.008). Medicare expenditure on chronic care-related services consistently contributed to progressivity of the overall scheme, particularly services under the CDDS with a need-adjusted concentration index of − 0.205 (95% CI, − 0.208 to − 0.201). Uptake of chronic care items varied by locality and comorbid conditions (there was greater uptake by patients with one or more comorbid conditions).Conclusions: Chronic care items, particularly dental items, have primarily been used by individuals from lower income households. Uptake of chronic care items contributes to the overall progressivity of Medicare.

Objective: To examine the perception and management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in Australian primary care.Design, setting and participants: The Australian Hypertension and Absolute Risk Study (AusHEART) was a nationally representative, cluster-stratified, cross-sectional survey of 322 general practitioners. Each GP was asked to collect data on CVD risk factors and their management in 15–20 consecutive patients aged ≥ 55 years who presented between April and June 2008, and to estimate each patient’s absolute risk of a cardiovascular event in the next 5 years.Main outcome measures: Estimated 5-year risk of a cardiovascular event, proportion of patients receiving appropriate treatment.Results: Among 5293 patients, 29% (1548) had established CVD. A further 22% (1145), when categorised according to the 2009 National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance guideline, to 42% (2211), when categorised according to National Heart Foundation (NHF) 2004 guideline, had a high (≥ 15%) 5-year risk of a cardiovascular event. Of the 1548 patients with established CVD, 50% were prescribed a combination of a blood pressure (BP)-lowering medication, a statin and an antiplatelet agent, and 9% were prescribed a BP-lowering medication and a statin but not an antiplatelet agent. Among high-risk patients without established CVD, categorised using NHF 2004 adjustments, 34% were prescribed a combination of a BP-lowering medication and a statin. GPs estimated 60% of patients with established CVD as having a risk of less than 15%. The GPs’ estimates of risk among patients without established CVD agreed with the centrally calculated estimate (according to the NHF 2004 guideline) in 48% of instances (κ = 0.21).Conclusions: These data confirm substantial undertreatment of patients who are at high risk of a cardiovascular event. We recommend that GPs assess absolute risk for older patients and ensure that high-risk patients receive evidence-based pharmacotherapy

Objective: To evaluate the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in Australian general practice.Design, setting and participants: National cross-sectional survey of 99 Australian general practitioners participating in the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) program. Data on 2618 consecutive adult patients presenting to the participating GPs over a 5-week period from September to October 2006 were analysed.Main outcome measures: Proportions of patients screened, treated and reaching targets according to (1) current Australian CVD risk guidelines and (2) overall or absolute CVD risk.Results: Blood pressure (BP) had not been recorded for 13% of the sample. Of 1400 patients not prescribed antihypertensive medication, treatment was indicated for 8%. Of 821 patients already prescribed antihypertensive medication, 59% were achieving target BPs. Data on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were not available for 53% of the 2175 patients who should have had lipid screening according to the guidelines. Of 624 patients not prescribed a statin, treatment was indicated for 41%. Of 368 already prescribed a statin, 62% were achieving target LDL cholesterol levels. Sufficient data for calculation of absolute risk had been recorded for 74% of the 1736 patients for whom such calculation was recommended by the guidelines. The remaining 26% either had at least one required variable unmeasured (20%) or missing from the data collection (6%). For those at high absolute CVD risk (without established disease) and those with established CVD, 23% and 53%, respectively, had been prescribed both antihypertensive medication and a statin.Conclusions: Gaps between guideline recommendations and practice in recording and managing BP were relatively low compared with gaps for lipids. When stratified by absolute risk, patients at high risk of a cardiovascular event were found to be substantially undertreated.