Abstract
Aims:
Printed materials are used to change behaviour yet evidence suggests they generally have little effect. This survey investigated the impact on GPs of reports from a Confidential Enquiry into Asthma Deaths.
Methods:
A random sample of 1 in 4 general practitioners from East Anglia were sent a questionnaire, total = 306. 71% (218) completed the questionnaire.
Results:
80% (117) of those who read reports could identify risk factors for asthma death, compared to 22% (13) of those who had not read reports. The difference (58%) was highly statistically significant, p<0.0001 (95% C.I. 44% to 69%) even after adjusting for various confounding factors including interest in asthma. Furthermore, of those who had read a report, 53% stated these had altered their management of patients.
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that locally-generated mailed guidance on a specific major health issue can have an important impact on knowledge and reported clinical practice.
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Holland, R., Harvey, I. & Harrison, B. The benefits of providing GPs with the results of a Confidential Enquiry into asthma deaths. Prim Care Respir J 11, 103–104 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.2002.98
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.2002.98