Testing
A 30-minute Lp(a) teaching session nearly tripled residents' Lp(a) test ordering and raised confidence scores from 10 to 24 out of 25 (Cureus 2025)
Original title: Implementation and Assessment of a Lipoprotein(a) Curriculum for Internal Medicine Residents: A Longitudinal Study
This longitudinal study designed a 30-minute presentation for internal medicine residents covering ASCVD risk assessment, the distinction between Lp(a) and LDL-C, and examples of how elevated Lp(a) changes clinical management, then measured its effect on 22 interns during the 2024-2025 academic year. Resident confidence in ordering and interpreting Lp(a), assessed by pre- and post-surveys, rose from a mean score of 10 to 24 out of a maximum 25 (P < 0.001). Lp(a) tests ordered by participants, abstracted from the electronic medical record, increased from seven (15% of all residents' Lp(a) orders) in the three months before the presentation to 28 (44% of all residents' Lp(a) orders) in the three months after (P = 0.008). The authors conclude this brief, low-cost curriculum meaningfully improved both confidence and real-world test-ordering behaviour in a single-centre setting, and call for further research on its generalisability and durability.
Original abstract
Introduction: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an independent risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and is recognized in guidelines as a risk-enhancing factor favoring the more aggressive management of lipids. However, the clinical utilization of Lp(a) testing has been low, especially among internal medicine providers. Methods: We designed a 30-minute presentation for internal medicine residents that included a general overview of ASCVD risk assessment, differences between Lp(a) and regular low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and examples of how elevated Lp(a) can change clinical management. Resident confidence in ordering and interpreting Lp(a) was assessed by pre- and post-surveys. Data on Lp(a) ordering practices were abstracted from the electronic medical record for the three months prior to and after the presentation. Results: The presentation was administered to 22 interns in the fall of the 2024-2025 academic year and was associated with an increase in participant confidence, with mean survey scores increasing from 10 to 24 out of a maximum score of 25 (p<0.001). Lp(a) tests ordered by participants increased from seven (15% of all residents' Lp(a) orders) in the three months prior to 28 (44% of all residents' Lp(a) orders) in the subsequent three months (p=0.008). Discussion: Lp(a) testing is an underutilized adjunct to ASCVD risk stratification. We developed a brief presentation that was associated with increased confidence regarding the topic of Lp(a) testing as well as changes in practice, as evidenced by increased Lp(a) orders. These encouraging single-center results can help inform future educational efforts on the topic of ASCVD prevention.
Conclusion: An Lp(a) curriculum for internal medicine residents showed promise in addressing the lack of awareness of Lp(a) testing. Further research is needed to assess the generalizability and retention of this curriculum.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 17 August 2026. Methods.