Abstract TAC244: Identifying Gaps in Hypertension Training Across Canadian Health Professions: A National Survey

Introduction: Hypertension is the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor in Canada and a major driver of morbidity. Despite its importance, no national standard exists for how hypertension is taught across professions. The extent and consistency of hypertension education in Canadian healthcare training programs remain unclear. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that hypertension education across Canadian health professions is variable, with gaps in practical skills, guideline adherence, and interprofessional care. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional national survey (March–April 2025), distributed via trainee representatives of healthcare associations. All accredited Canadian MD, NP, PharmD, RN/RPN, and family medicine programs were eligible. The 22-item questionnaire assessed seven domains, including curriculum structure, hypertension pathophysiology, BP measurement, risk assessment, and team-based care. Responses were selected from predefined options and mapped post hoc to a 4-point scale, with scores ≥3 considered adequate. The primary outcome was the proportion of programs meeting this threshold in each domain. Items also asked students to list secondary hypertension causes, treatment options, and BP measurement steps. Programs reported total instruction hours. Data were analyzed descriptively, stratified by profession, and grouped by institution, within an implementation science lens. Ethics approval was obtained from the University of Toronto REB (#47478). Results: Sixty-three programs responded (60% response rate): 10 MD, 10 PharmD, 10 family medicine, 32 RN/RPN, and one NP. Most programs adequately covered hypertension pathophysiology and cardiovascular risk assessment but multidisciplinary care and hands-on skills were inconsistently addressed. Only 30% reported adequate training in guideline-based BP measurement. PharmD, MD, and RN students correctly identified a mean of 4.2, 3.75, and 3.2 of six BP measurement steps, respectively. Fewer than 30% of programs met benchmarks for use of digital tools or adherence counseling. Only 30% of MD programs reported adequate team-based care training, compared to 100% of RPN/LPN and 60% of RN and PharmD programs. Instructional hours ranged from 66.8 in MD to 9.5 in RPN/LPN programs. Conclusions: Hypertension education across Canadian healthcare training programs is variable, with notable gaps in hands-on skills. These findings establish a baseline to guide standardized interprofessional hypertension training development.