J C Kellen1, M L Russell. 1. Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta. kellenj@acs.ucalgary.ca
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether physician specialty is associated with prescription of warfarin to elderly persons with atrial fibrillation. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: One hundred and thirty-eight randomly selected general practitioners--all 58 internists andall 27 cardiologists in southern Alberta were surveyed by mail. INTERVENTION: Physicians identified their preferred drug for stroke prevention generally and in response to two hypothetical cases. MAIN RESULTS:Response rates were 66% (general practitioners), 76% (internists) and 89% (cardiologists). Specialists (92%) were more likely than general practitioners (76%) to choose warfarin (P = 0.007). Findings were similar for questions related to case scenarios; however, the magnitude of differences between specialists and general practitioners was less pronounced. Specialists were more likely (77%) to prescribe warfarin for elderly females than were general practitioners (62%, P = 0.08). Similar proportions of specialists (77%) and general practitioners (67%) would prescribe warfarin to elderly males. CONCLUSION: Physician specialty is associated with warfarin prescription for elderly persons with atrial fibrillation.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether physician specialty is associated with prescription of warfarin to elderly persons with atrial fibrillation. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: One hundred and thirty-eight randomly selected general practitioners--all 58 internists and all 27 cardiologists in southern Alberta were surveyed by mail. INTERVENTION: Physicians identified their preferred drug for stroke prevention generally and in response to two hypothetical cases. MAIN RESULTS: Response rates were 66% (general practitioners), 76% (internists) and 89% (cardiologists). Specialists (92%) were more likely than general practitioners (76%) to choose warfarin (P = 0.007). Findings were similar for questions related to case scenarios; however, the magnitude of differences between specialists and general practitioners was less pronounced. Specialists were more likely (77%) to prescribe warfarin for elderly females than were general practitioners (62%, P = 0.08). Similar proportions of specialists (77%) and general practitioners (67%) would prescribe warfarin to elderly males. CONCLUSION: Physician specialty is associated with warfarin prescription for elderly persons with atrial fibrillation.
Authors: E Arrojo Arias; G Mora Navarro; A Abón Santos; M S Araujo Luis; C Capdevila Gallego; M J Gutiérrez Torres Journal: Aten Primaria Date: 2002-09-30 Impact factor: 1.137
Authors: Niteesh K Choudhry; Geoffrey M Anderson; Andreas Laupacis; Dennis Ross-Degnan; Sharon-Lise T Normand; Stephen B Soumerai Journal: BMJ Date: 2006-01-10