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A Survey of Psychiatrists' Attitudes Toward Treatment Guidelines

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Abstract

We developed a survey to look at psychiatrists' attitudes toward psychotropic prescribing guidelines, specifically the Texas Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP) algorithms. The 22-page survey was distributed to 24 psychiatrists working in 4 CMHC's; 13 completed the survey. 90% agreed that guidelines should be general and flexible. The majority also agreed that guidelines should define how to measure response to a specific agent; fewer agreed guidelines should specify dosage, side effect management, or augmentation strategies. Psychiatrists were familiar with TMAP; none referred to it in their practice. In spite of this, psychiatrists' medication preferences were similar to those suggested by guidelines.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Michigan Health System, USA

    Daniel J. Healy, Mona Goldman & Timothy Florence

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0020

    Karen K. Milner

Authors
  1. Daniel J. Healy
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  2. Mona Goldman
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  3. Timothy Florence
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  4. Karen K. Milner
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Healy, D.J., Goldman, M., Florence, T. et al. A Survey of Psychiatrists' Attitudes Toward Treatment Guidelines. Community Ment Health J 40, 177–184 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:COMH.0000022736.61003.2e

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:COMH.0000022736.61003.2e

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