Pharmacotherapy of arterial hypertension: assessment of knowledge levels among students and practicing physicians. Results of the PHYSTARH-II Project

Introduction: Arterial hypertension (AH) is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and premature mortality. The aim of the study: To assess the level of knowledge and cognizance of physicians and medical students in a field of pharmacotherapy of AH. Materials and Methods: This article analyzes the second phase (2019-2023) of the PHYSTARH project, a multicenter anonymous survey involving 494 therapeutic physicians from 10 Russian cities/regions and 426 students from 10 Russian and Kyrgyz universities. Comparisons were made with the previous phase (2017-2019) of student and physician research. Statistical methods included descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, U-Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson correlation, median test, ANOVA, and regression analysis (p<0.05). Results: The study revealed that the knowledge levels among both students and physicians is not sufficiently high. Moreover, some questions showed a fatally low level of knowledge. The average level of correct answers in the second part of the survey (LCA) was 44.9% for students and 53.5% for physicians. The LCA for students in the previous phase was 57.7%, while the LCA for physicians (2017-2019) in the second part of the survey was 60%. Conclusion: The common level of knowledge base among students and physicians regarding key aspects of AH is insufficient. It is essential to implement additional educational programs to fill the recognized knowledge gaps. The results of studies highlight the necessity of improving educational programs for medical specialists in the field of arterial hypertension. The lowest correct answers rates were found in questions regarding the use of acetylsalicylic acid in patients with AH. The highest correct response rate was recorded for a question about selecting the optimal drug for managing uncomplicated hypertensive crises.