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abstract
Objective: The aim of the study was to examine whether
physicians who are better informed about large, published hormone
therapy (HT) trials (eg, the Women's Health Initiative) are more likely
to prescribe HT for menopausal symptoms.
Methods: US obstetricians/gynecologists and primary care
physicians completed a 15- to 20-minute Internet-based survey. Knowledge
was assessed via nine true-false statements about HT trials (range:
0-9). Prescribing practices were assessed via six case studies with a
seven-point response scale of "extremely unlikely" to "extremely likely"
in relation to treatment options (range: 6-42). The primary analysis
examined the correlation between HT trial knowledge and likelihood of
prescribing HT. Secondary analyses gauged knowledge and prescribing
practices based on practice type, sex, and years in practice.
Results: Among 501 physicians who completed the survey
(representing 10.7% of those invited; median age: 51.0 y; female: 26.9%;
obstetricians/gynecologists: 49.9%; median 19.0 y in practice), HT
knowledge (mean [SD] 3.8 [2.3]), and prescribing (mean [SD] 24.5 [5.6])
exhibited a statistically significant, moderate positive correlation
(0.30; 95% CI, 0.21-0.37; P < 0.0001).
Obstetricians/gynecologists
were significantly (P < 0.0001) more knowledgeable and more likely to
prescribe HT than primary care physicians. Male physicians were more
likely (P < 0.05) to prescribe HT but not more knowledgeable about it
than female physicians. Knowledge (but not likelihood of prescribing)
significantly increased as a function of years in practice.
Conclusions: Physicians who are more knowledgeable about
large, published HT trials are more likely to prescribe HT for
menopausal symptoms.
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