Using the extended parallel process model to explain physicians' decisions to test their patients for kidney disease.

A study was conducted to determine the effects of perceived threat and efficacy on physicians' intentions and behavior to test their patients' level of kidney functioning. Guided by the extended parallel process model, 151 physicians completed an initial survey measuring threat to patients (i.e., susceptibility and severity) and efficacy (i.e., response-efficacy and self-efficacy), as well as their current intentions and behavior. One-hundred and twelve of these physicians also completed and returned a follow-up survey sent approximately 4 months later using identical measures of intentions and behavior. As predicted, physicians who perceived greater threat to patients and greater efficacy demonstrated greater intentions and behavior to test their patients' level of kidney functioning. The theoretical and practical insights and implications of these findings are discussed.