Pragmatic, Randomized Evaluation of Statin Active Choice to Reach Improved Outcomes Based on Evidence

Pragmatic, Randomized Evaluation of Statin Active Choice to Reach Improved Outcomes Based on Evidence

In this study, the investigators will conduct a pragmatic, cluster-randomized, controlled trial to evaluate an active choice intervention with and without social comparison feedback to increase physician statin prescribing rates for eligible patients.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Strong evidence indicates that statin medications can reduce the risk of CVD and for those with CVD statins have been shown to reduce mortality. Despite this evidence, statins are under-prescribed. In this study, the investigators will test the effectiveness of nudges targeted to physicians using active choice and social comparisons feedback to increasing the rate at which statin medications are prescribed to patients eligible based on national practice guidelines.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient has a primary care physician at University of Pennsylvania Health System
• Patient meets 2013 AHA/ACC guidelines for statin therapy but no record of a statin prescription in the electronic health record

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient has an allergy or adverse reaction to statins documented in the electronic health record
• Patient has glomerular filtration rate less than 30 mL/min
• Physicians (and their respective patients) will be excluded if they have less than 10 patients among their entire panel that are eligible for a statin