Abstract
This study was undertaken to assess the dissemination of information about the management of chronic airway obstruction (CAO) in small community hospitals. The charts of all patients with CAO discharged from six hospitals were audited at two points in time, 1978 and 1983. In addition, physicians were surveyed to determine what information sources were critical in changing their behavior. Significant changes were seen in the use of diagnostic tests and therapeutic agents. Continuing medical education (CME) played a key role in test ordering, while pharmaceutical manufacturers’ representatives were important sources of information concerning new therapeutic agents. The dissemination of information is a complex process. Physicians frequently use multiple sources of information in the decision making process. Physicians and planners of CME must be aware of what types of educational activities are best suited for their needs.
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Received from the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Supported by Grant Number 5R18 HL30566 from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health.
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Stross, J.K. Information sources and clinical decisions. J Gen Intern Med 2, 155–159 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02596142
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02596142