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PubMed1987

Preferred provider organizations one year later.

One year ago we conducted the first comprehensive national survey of preferred provider organizations (PPOs). Results of this study demonstrated that, contrary to popular belief, there did indeed exist a "generic" PPO with clearly defined characteristics. Furthermore, we found that this new form of health delivery organization was rapidly expanding. A new national survey, completed in September 1986, shows continued brisk growth in the number of persons eligible to use PPO services. Utilization review programs have become more stringent and increasingly focus on physician practice patterns. One striking finding is that joint ventures between provider-sponsored PPOs and commercial insurers are multiplying.

Cost Control↗
PubMed1987

The increased use of diagnostic procedures in patients with acute myocardial infarction. A community-wide perspective.

As part of a community-wide study examining time trends in the incidence and case-fatality rates of 3263 patients hospitalized with validated acute myocardial infarction (MI) during the years 1975, 1978, 1981, and 1984, we examined changes over time in the use of various noninvasive and invasive diagnostic tests during hospitalization for acute MI. In terms of the noninvasive procedures, exercise testing before hospital discharge increased from only 0.1% of patients in 1975 to 40.3% in 1984, while use of echocardiography (2.5%, 1975; 15.3%, 1984), Holter monitoring (1.0%, 1975; 34.0%, 1984), and radionuclide ventriculography (2.6%, 1975; 52.7%, 1984) also increased dramatically. Concerning the invasive procedures, use of coronary arteriography in patients with acute MI increased from 3.1% in 1975 to 9.8% in 1984. A more striking increase was noted in the use of pulmonary artery catheterization (7.2%, 1975; 19.9%, 1984). Examination of patient characteristics associated with the use of these tests demonstrated that the increased use of these diagnostic procedures was not due to changes in the clinical characteristics of patients hospitalized with acute MI; rather, it was the result of changes in physician practice patterns. If the practice patterns seen in this community-based study are similar to those seen throughout the United States, the charges for these diagnostic tests in 1984 are estimated to approach 600 million dollars. Given current interest in cost-containment and evaluation of clinical practices, these results suggest the need for further observational studies and clinical trials to assess the cost-effectiveness of these diagnostic tests. To assess the cost-effectiveness, it will be necessary to determine if the use of these tests improves the short-term or long-term prognosis of patients hospitalized with acute MI.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1993

Are physicians changing the way they practise obstetrics?

OBJECTIVE: To examine trends in obstetric interventions in women at low risk over approximately 3 years. It was postulated that there would be a general reduction in most intervention rates. DESIGN: Retrospective review of hospital records. SETTING: Three downtown hospitals of the University of Toronto, in which academic and nonacademic family physicians and obstetricians practised. PATIENTS: A total of 2365 women in phase 1 (April 1985 to March 1986) and 1277 in phase 2 (May to September 1988) met the inclusion criteria for grade A (pregnancy at no predictable risk) of the Ontario Antenatal Record at the time of admission to hospital. OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of artificial rupture of the membranes, induction, augmentation, epidural anesthesia, continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM), instrumental delivery, episiotomy and cesarean section. RESULTS: The family physicians and the obstetricians had significant decreases (p < 0.01) over time in the rates of episiotomy, especially mediolateral, and low forceps delivery. The rate of epidural anesthesia decreased significantly in the obstetrician group. The rates of artificial rupture of the membranes, induction and continuous EFM increased in the two physician groups; the increased rate of EFM was significant in the obstetrician group (p < 0.01). There was no significant change in the rates of augmentation, midforceps delivery, vacuum extraction or cesarean section. All of the trends were found to hold when the intervention rates were analysed according to the women's parity. CONCLUSIONS: Some of the findings reflect recommendations and trends reported in the literature, whereas others are not supported by clear medical evidence. The unpredictable nature of the trends suggests that further study is warranted of the reasons for obstetric trends and for the changes in physicians' practice patterns.

Anesthesia, Epidural↗
PubMed1997

Baseline institutional compliance with NCCN guidelines: non-small-cell lung cancer.

To assess current physician practice patterns and whether they comply with guidelines published by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), we performed a retrospective review of 107 consecutive patients who underwent pulmonary resections for non-small-cell lung cancer at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Compliance with the guidelines was examined at four points in the patient's care: (1) preoperative work-up and evaluation, (2) operation performed and pathologic review, (3) postoperative adjuvant care, (4) routine follow-up and surveillance. Deviations from the guidelines were most marked in the preoperative evaluation phase. Excessive screening for metastases was performed in nearly 50% of the patients. Mediastinoscopy was appropriately utilized (according to the NCCN guidelines) in 93% of the patients, and appropriate anatomic resections and mediastinal nodal dissections were performed in 96% of the thoracotomies. Adjuvant care followed the NCCN recommendations in all patients. Excessive radiographic testing in asymptomatic patients was again seen in the postoperative surveillance program. Based on these findings, as well as the results of a previous evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of follow-up care in patients with resected lung cancers, we conclude that more widespread adherence to the radiographic recommendations in the NCCN guidelines would result in significant institutional and national health-care savings.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Depression of elderly outpatients: primary care physicians' attitudes and practice patterns.

OBJECTIVE: To determine primary care physicians' attitudes and practice patterns concerning the diagnosis and treatment of depression in elderly outpatients. DESIGN: Survey of primary care physicians' attitudes using a 22-item questionnaire. Current practice patterns were identified from a computerized medical record system. SETTING: Academic primary care group practice at an urban ambulatory care clinic. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five faculty general internists and 118 resident internal medicine physicians who had cared for 2,759 patients 65 years of age and older in the previous year. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Attitudes: Eighty percent of all physicians considered the diagnosis and treatment of depressed elderly patients to be their responsibility. Fifty-five percent of the internists felt confident in accurately diagnosing depression, and 35% felt confident in prescribing antidepressants for this population. Residents reported more difficulties in dealing with depressed elderly patients than did faculty. Practice patterns: Of patients greater than or equal to 65 years old, 8% were prescribed antidepressants, 5.4% had current diagnoses of depression, and 2% were seen for evaluation by psychiatry professionals. Age was negatively correlated with depression diagnosis, antidepressant drug use, and psychiatry evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Internists in this primary care group practice accept responsibility for the treatment of depressed elderly patients but perceive their clinical skills as inadequate and are frustrated with their practice environment. Interventions aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of depressed elderly patients may be more effective if they are able to improve knowledge, attitudes, and the practice environment.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Diagnosing and managing dementia patients. Practice patterns of family physicians.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the practice patterns of family physicians in diagnosing and managing patients with dementia. DESIGN: In-depth structured interviews. SETTING: Metropolitan Toronto family practices. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty family physicians who referred patients to a specialized community psychiatry service for the elderly in the previous year. METHOD: Two vignettes focusing on diagnosis and management issues were developed for the study. Physicians were asked how they would handle the clinical problems presented in the vignettes. Their responses were compared to standardized diagnostic and management protocols. MAIN FINDINGS: Participants were more comfortable with diagnosing dementia than with ongoing management issues, and most physicians were not using standardized cognitive screening protocols. Physicians were more oriented to immediate medical and psychiatric problems than to long-term psychosocial issues. CONCLUSIONS: More attention should be paid to the ongoing educational needs of family physicians with respect to this patient population.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Managing physician efficiency and effectiveness in providing hospital services.

Physicians control more than 80 percent of the decisions affecting health costs. Consequently, managing physician practice patterns is an important avenue to reducing health care costs. One approach to identifying inefficient practice patterns is demonstrated in this pilot study of physicians treating heart shock patients. Physicians are evaluated using data envelopment analysis (DEA), a relatively new linear-program-based efficiency evaluation tool. This approach (1) locates physicians using excess resources in treating patients, (2) estimates the amount of excess resources used, and (3) explicitly considers the quality of patient care in the overall assessment of the physician's practice patterns. Findings of physician inefficiency that are stable over time could be used to alter practice patterns and subsequently to assist in cost containment.

Data Collection↗
PubMed2002

Designing tailored Web-based instruction to improve practicing physicians' chlamydial screening rates.

OBJECTIVE: To design an individualized Web-based continuing medical education (CME) program to improve practicing physicians' chlamydial screening rates. DESCRIPTION: Often unrecognized and untreated, chlamydial infections in young women may cause pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy and facilitate the acquisition of HIV. The National Committee for Quality Assurance in 2001 reported chlamydia screening rates to be 23.6% for 16-20-year-olds and 18.3% for 21-26-year-olds. In a collaborative project an academic medical center and a large national managed care organization have developed four tailored Web-based modules for primary care physicians with the goal of improving rates of screening for chlamydia. Each module includes: (1) individual office chlamydial screening rates; (2) interactive cases with real-time comparison of answers with those of peers; (3) a toolbox of office support materials, including patient education materials and guideline summaries; and (4) real-time tailoring of the Web pages based on physicians' interactions with module. Readiness to change and barriers impeding change are assessed during interaction with the module and multiple pathways are created in real time for each physician. Physicians' perceptions of the prevalence of chlamydia in their patient populations and the rate of sexual activity among adolescent girls are also assessed. These variables have been correlated in other studies with low rates of chlamydial screening. Inaccurate perceptions of these variables are considered to constitute a precontemplative stage of change. Specific messages are designed to facilitate increased awareness of chlamydia prevalence, level of sexual activity, and the consequences of failure to screen. For physicians who are aware of the nature and scope of the problems related to chlamydia, messages are tailored to assist them in reducing barriers to screening. A randomized trial of a national sample of primary care physicians is being conducted to determine the effectiveness of this intervention in improving physicians' chlamydial screening rates in sexually active women 16-26 years of age. DISCUSSION: While the Internet offers an educational distribution system accessible to practicing physicians, most CME online programs are text-based and infrequently interactive or guideline-based. It is unlikely that these programs have broad impact on physicians' practice patterns. Neither the broad capacities of Web technologies nor the evidence of effective methods for influencing physicians' practice patterns has influenced the design of most CME programs. The innovative course described above provides individual office feedback on performance, compares physicians' responses with those of their peers, gathers responses to determine physicians' readiness to change practices, and provides branching pathways "on-the-fly" individualized to these responses. The module format is easily adapted to other diseases, able to be linked in an automated fashion to administrative data files, and relatively low in cost to support.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

One-page profile shows physicians how practice patterns stack up against standards.

Save millions by profiling clinical guideline compliance, not cost and utilization data? United HealthCare has switched its focus from physician cost and utilization reports to clinical profiles that chart compliance with guidelines in six common conditions. Here's the story, plus a sample profile showing how a physician stacks up to peers and nationally accepted standards in particular areas of care.

Benchmarking↗
PubMed2004

Vascular access practice patterns in the New Zealand hemodialysis population.

BACKGROUND: Native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) prevalence varies significantly among different populations and countries. Physician practice patterns may have a strong influence on access type. We assessed differences in vascular access practice patterns across all treating centers in New Zealand. METHODS: Adult (age > or = 18 years) patients on hemodialysis therapy in the year ending September 30, 2001, were studied from the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with arteriovenous graft (AVG) and catheter use. RESULTS: Of 772 patients available for analysis, 461 patients (60%) underwent dialysis using an AVF; 122 patients (16%), an AVG; and 189 patients (24%), a catheter. On multivariable analysis, female sex (odds ratio, 5.92; P < 0.001), coronary artery disease (odds ratio, 1.89; P < 0.05), body mass index greater than 30 (odds ratio, 2.55; P < 0.05), and age (odds ratio, 1.03 per year increase; P < 0.001) were associated with an increased likelihood of AVG use. Maori and Pacific Island patients were less likely to use an AVG compared with Caucasians (odds ratio, 0.47; P < 0.05). Predictors of greater likelihood of catheter use were female sex (odds ratio, 3.9; P < 0.001), late referral (odds ratio, 1.60; P < 0.05), and age (odds ratio, 1.02 per year increase; P < 0.001). Proportions of access types varied significantly across the 7 treating centers (AVFs, 32% to 86%; AVGs, 2% to 32%; catheters, 9% to 33%; P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, significant differences persisted among access types in some centers and the national average. CONCLUSION: Certain patient characteristics, such as age and female sex, are associated strongly with increased AVG and catheter use. However, the significant variation in risk across centers suggests more attention needs to be given to physician practice patterns to increase AVF use rates.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Prospective-pricing strategies for hospital and departmental effectiveness: the physician's response.

Physician-practice patterns are discussed, and programs of decentralization designed to reduce ancillary use are described. The New England Medical Center (NEMC) conducted a study with two other major hospitals in Boston comparing physician-practice patterns for patients who had had carotid endarterectomies. The indications for surgery for these patients did not appear to be different among the hospitals; however, average charges and length of stay varied considerably. Operating-room time and postoperative management also varied substantially. Strategies to change physician-practice patterns must address the issues of incentives to physicians and hospitals. At NEMC, a program of decentralization is being implemented that involves physician participation in budgeting hospital resources. A program of product pricing has been developed, whereby the NEMC offers an HMO a fixed price for certain kinds of cases upon admission. A daily use report was started to report resource use for specific cases compared with annual medians for that type of case. Case types from many different surgical specialties are involved. The reports show physicians the difference between the actual and expected costs in terms of variances. The NEMC has reoriented its budgeting process to include clinical divisions. Clinical services are planning to budget the use of intermediate products across different cost centers. The clinical budgeting program makes the planning process more objective, lowers the use of ancillary services, and reduces costs.

Ancillary Services, Hospital↗
PubMed2003

Maternal serum screening: practice patterns of physicians in Newfoundland.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the utilization of the second trimester maternal serum screen (MSS) of a-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotrophin, and unconjugated estriol, in Newfoundland, by practice location, training, and gender. METHODS: Four hundred eighteen anonymous self-reported questionnaires were mailed out to all practising family physicians, general practitioners, and obstetricians in Newfoundland, who were identified through the provincial medical board. The survey included questions on demographic characteristics, provision of antenatal care, gestational age at which MSS is ordered, reasons for offering or not offering MSS, and the use of routine antenatal ultrasound. Categorical data were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher exact tests, as appropriate. RESULTS: Overall, 63% of physicians responded to the survey. Forty percent of respondents had an urban practice. Female physicians, regardless of specialty, were more likely to offer MSS to their patients (89% vs. 78%; P = 0.04), whereas family physicians and obstetricians were more likely to offer screening than general practitioners (85% vs. 83% vs. 25%; P = 0.02). Among physicians offering MSS, 54% offered it only to women 35 years and older. Practice location did not affect whether a woman was offered MSS (P = 0.41). Twenty-five percent of family physicians offering MSS did not offer it at the appropriate gestational age of 15 to 20 weeks. Ninety-four percent of pregnant women were routinely offered an ultrasound during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The utilization of MSS in Newfoundland is affected by physician training and gender, but not by practice location. Further education of physicians is required to ensure appropriate use and timing of this screening test.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Practice patterns of physician members of the American Urogynecologic Society regarding female sexual dysfunction: results of a national survey.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate practice patterns of members of the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) with respect to female sexual dysfunction (FSD). A brief self-administered survey of 20 questions was mailed to 966 physician members of the AUGS in the United States of America and Canada; 471 surveys were returned (49% response rate). The majority of responders see urogynecology (19%) or urogynecology and general gynecology patients (43%). Sixty-eight percent of physicians were familiar with questionnaires to assess FSD; however, only 13% said they use these for screening purposes. Most said they believed screening for FSD was somewhat (47%) or very important (42%). Despite having these beliefs, only 22% of the responding physicians stated they always screen for FSD, while 55% do so most of the time and 23% admitted they never or rarely screen. Similar results were obtained regarding screening following urogynecologic surgery. Several barriers to screening for FSD existed, the most common being lack of time. The majority of respondents (69%) underestimated the prevalence of FSD in their patient population. Finally, although more than half of responders had received post-residency training in urogynecology (59%), 50% of them stated the training with respect to FSD was unsatisfactory, while only 10% were satisfied. Overall, many urogynecologists do not consistently screen for FSD, underestimate its prevalence, and feel they received unsatisfactory training.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2002

Physician knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding a widely implemented guideline.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Although clinical practice guidelines have been promoted widely, there is considerable concern that physicians have not incorporated them into their practice. Models suggest that a 'knowledge-attitude-behaviour' sequence is important in modifying physician practice patterns. To address this, we examined physicians' knowledge of, attitudes towards and compliance with a widely implemented guideline - the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) smoking cessation guideline. METHODS: A survey was mailed to a random sample of physicians at 128 veterans health administration facilities, which had implemented the guideline 2 years previously. RESULTS: Completed surveys were received from 879 physicians (50.3 response rate). Only 26 of physicians reported receiving a copy or summary of the guideline, 44 reported little or no familiarity with it, 42 did not know if they agreed with it, 40 did not know if they complied with it and 46 did not know if it was effective. However, a high percentage of physicians reported that they always or usually explain the health risks of smoking (86) and that they always or usually suggest that their smoking patients stop (94). CONCLUSIONS: In spite of little familiarity with the guideline, the responding physicians reported practice patterns consistent with adherence to it. Knowledge is only one of a spectrum of barriers that affects physician adherence to guidelines. There are numerous opportunities for health care organizations to overcome the barriers to physician adoption of clinical practice guidelines in their day-to-day practice.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Nursing home autopsies. Survey of physician attitudes and practice patterns.

Autopsy rates remain disturbingly low in nursing homes despite the fact that 1 of 5 deaths occurs in this setting. To determine the autopsy rate for nursing homes, we analyzed all deaths occurring in New York State nursing homes from 1980 to 1984. Of 58,985 nursing home deaths, autopsies were performed in only 499 cases (0.8%). In comparison to the general nursing home population, autopsied residents were more likely to be male and never married and less likely to be widowed. Of 110 practicing nursing home physicians surveyed, 19% believed autopsies had little if any value in the nursing home population, whereas 71% saw autopsy as a valuable tool but rarely requested one. Fewer than 1 in 10 physicians routinely discussed autopsies with patients and/or families before death. Perceived obstacles included the emotional lability of patients and families and a lack of financial reimbursement. Concerns over religious objections, funeral delays, and unnecessary mutilation were cited by fewer than one third of respondents. Facilitation of consent, physician education, and cost sharing may all contribute to enhanced rates of autopsies in the future.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

The effect of family physician timing of maternal admission on procedures in labour and maternal and infant morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a family physician practice pattern of early admission is associated with increased rates of intervention in labour and delivery, and/or adverse maternal and newborn outcomes. METHOD: A retrospective cohort study compared women under the care of family physicians having 50% or more of their patients admitted to the labour and delivery unit "early" (defined as a cervical dilatation of < or =3 cm) to women under the care of family physicians having less than 50% of their patients admitted "early." Outcome measures included labour intervention rates and maternal and neonatal morbidity. RESULTS: After adjusting for maternal characteristics, care by family physicians with a practice of early admission was associated with increased rates of electronic fetal monitoring (odds ratio [OR], 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-1.89), epidural analgesia (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.15-1.55), and Caesarean section (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.00-1.65) compared to family physicians with a practice pattern of late admission. Malposition in labour was associated with more interventions in labour than was family physician practice pattern. CONCLUSION: Women under the care of family physicians with a practice pattern of early admission were more likely to receive electronic fetal monitoring, epidural analgesia, and Caesarean section than women under the care of family physicians with a practice pattern of late admission. Malposition in labour had a greater effect on procedure use than any other variable in our model.

Adult↗