A SMALL pilot study is being undertaken in Te Kūiti to investigate if there can be improvements made to the way patients are screened for cardiovascular risk. Pictured at the opening ceremony of the study is Waitomo mayor John Robertson, Taumarunui Kokiri Trust chief executive Christine Brears, Waikato Hospital cardiologist Dr Mark Davis and kaumatua Kingi Turner.
A WAIKATO cardiologist has teamed up with Te Kūiti doctor Keith Buswell to investigate if there might be an easy fix to health inequities within cardiology. Patients at the two local general practitioners, Te Kūiti Medical Family Health Centre and Maniapoto Whanau Ora Centre, who have an increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke will be eligible to be involved in the study. Dr Mark Davis, a cardiologist at Waikato Hospital, said he had worked in Te Kūiti for eight years so knew the area and the people reasonably well.
SOLID INEQUITIES “And it’s pretty clear there are solid inequities in difference of life expectancy for Māori and non-Māori. “I think we should take the opportunity to see if there is a simple way to make sure that we can get even access for healthcare for everybody. “For those who haven’t had even access to healthcare, that will give a disproportionate benefit.” The study will work on information about cardiovascular risk already held by GPs about many patients, Mark said. Those who have been assessed to have a greater than 10% risk of heart attack or stroke in the next five years will be invited to join the study. The study is open to both Māori and non-Māori. Participants will be split into two groups – those who will continue to receive care as is the status quo currently and another group who will undergo further screening locally. Patients in the study group would be asked questions about any symptoms including chest tightness and pains in addition to having blood tests and an ECG taken. Through the study, which has been funded by a Ministry of Health grant, an exercise test machine has been bought for Te Kūiti Hospital. Mark said it would be used by study participants who needed further testing after the early assessments and would remain at Te Kūiti Hospital after the study period was complete. Heart rhythm could also be monitored. Based on the outcome of the tests, patients might be referred on to the Waikato Hospital cardiology department. Mark said he thought there was room in cardiology to learn from what oncologists were doing with cancer screening. BETTER OUTCOMES “We should learn from them and try to see if we can make our systems inclusive and better and finding people early.” Together, study co-authors and investigators Mark and Keith will assess whether the study identifies more people with heart problems compared with normal GP care. If successful, Mark said the systems used in the Te Kūiti study could be replicated in other regions. “I think fairness is very important and we need to make sure everybody in New Zealand has fair access to good healthcare. “When you start talking to people in rural communities, everybody knows somebody who died far too young.”
