Dr Mitchell Sarkies

How to implement improved care of familial hypercholesterolaemia in Australia

Dr Mitchell Sarkies, Macquarie University

2021 Vanguard Grant

Years funded: 2022-2022

There is trustworthy evidence to guide clinical management of . However, despite its tragic consequences for coronary artery disease (CAD) and a recently published consensus guidance for the care of FH in Australia, FH remains an underdiagnosed condition for which genetic testing and best practice management is not always delivered. Until now, there has been minimal research translation efforts for FH in Australia. The proposed research aims to create new knowledge for implementing practices that will improve the care for approximately 100,000 Australians at risk of CAD due to FH.

This applied research translational project will implement enhanced detection and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) within the Australian healthcare system. The implementation strategy design will follow a two-stage process:

1. identify the barriers and enablers to testing and screening people for FH, and
2. design an implementation strategy by mapping interventions to overcome the identified barriers and enablers.