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michigan hypertension core curriculum - State of Michigan

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April 2010<br />

Dear Colleague:<br />

In 2005, the <strong>Michigan</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Community Health (MDCH) and the National Kidney Foundation<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>Michigan</strong> (NKFM) convened a group <strong>of</strong> <strong>hypertension</strong> experts to identify strategies that will improve<br />

blood pressure control in <strong>Michigan</strong>. Participants included physicians from across <strong>Michigan</strong> specializing<br />

in clinical <strong>hypertension</strong>, leaders in academic research <strong>of</strong> <strong>hypertension</strong> and related disorders, and<br />

representatives <strong>of</strong> key health care organizations that are addressing this condition that afflicts over 70<br />

million U.S. adults. The Hypertension Expert Group has focused on approaches to reduce the burden <strong>of</strong><br />

kidney and cardiovascular diseases through more effective blood pressure treatment strategies.<br />

In an effort to improve <strong>hypertension</strong> control, the group developed educational programs on blood<br />

pressure management, diagnosis and treatment standards. The Expert Group has now turned their<br />

attention toward strengthening academic programs for health care providers in the area <strong>of</strong> clinical<br />

<strong>hypertension</strong>. It was suggested that while all universities and training programs have curricula focused<br />

on cardiovascular diseases, considerable variability exists on how each approaches the diagnosis and<br />

treatment <strong>of</strong> <strong>hypertension</strong>, in part because <strong>hypertension</strong> has not been the domain <strong>of</strong> any single medical<br />

subspecialty.<br />

Thus, our goal was to develop a state-wide <strong>core</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong> designed to serve as a comprehensive<br />

guide for updating clinical knowledge <strong>of</strong> <strong>hypertension</strong> and related disorders. This <strong>core</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong><br />

would ensure that trainees are adequately educated, focused on a basic understanding <strong>of</strong> pressurerelated<br />

vascular pathophysiology and target-organ injury/dysfunction, optimal therapeutic strategies,<br />

and the most recent authoritative evidence-based guidelines and practice standards developed and<br />

promulgated by <strong>hypertension</strong> experts. The <strong>curriculum</strong> will be updated periodically and should continue to<br />

serve as a readily available current source for training.<br />

Sincerely,<br />

John Flack, MD, MPH Sandra Waddell, RN, BSN<br />

Chair, HTN Expert Committee Project Manager, HTN Expert Committee<br />

Wayne <strong>State</strong> University National Kidney Foundation <strong>of</strong> <strong>Michigan</strong><br />

4 Hypertension Core Curriculum

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