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Determinants of physicians' attitude towards prescribing
Author(s) -
Wun Y. T.,
Chan C. S. Y.,
Dickinson J. A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.622
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2710
pISSN - 0269-4727
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2710.2002.00389.x
Subject(s) - family medicine , medicine , affect (linguistics) , duration (music) , primary care , quality (philosophy) , continuing medical education , continuing education , psychology , medical education , art , philosophy , literature , communication , epistemology
Objective: To identify the primary care physicians' (PCP) characteristics that are associated with their prescribing attitude. Methods: A validated questionnaire was sent to randomly selected PCPs stratified in three groups according to any higher qualification in family medicine. Result: The best predictor for orientation of quality of care in prescribing was the country of qualification. Duration after qualification was negatively associated with PCP's belief in the use of drugs. Physicians who were female, with higher qualification, sooner after qualification, and working in group practice were less likely to perceive pressure from patients to prescribe, with group practice being the most significant determinant. Conclusion: Different physician factors affect different aspects of PCPs' prescribing attitude. As duration after qualification was an important but negative attribute, quality use of medication should be emphasized in continuing medical education.