MANAGEMENT OF PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE BY PRIMARY-CARE PHYSICIANS - A COMPARISON WITH CENTERS-FOR-DISEASE-CONTROL AND PREVENTION GUIDELINES

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published r ecommendations for clinicians on the management of pelvic inflammatory disease, but it is unknown if providers are aware of the guidelines o r follow them, Goal: To compare pelvic inflammatory disease screening, diagnosis, treatment, and reporting practices among primary care phys icians with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for pelvic inflammatory disease, Study Design: A weighted random sampl e of California primary care physicians surveyed in November 1992 and January 1993. Results: Of the 1,165 physicians surveyed, 553 (48%) ret urned completed questionnaires, Among respondents, 302 (55%) reported having treated a case of pelvic inflammatory disease during the last 1 2 months, and of these, 52% answered that they were unsure of or do no t follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for pelvic inflammatory disease, Pediatricians and those with more years since residency were less likely to deviate from the Centers for Disea se Control and Prevention guidelines for pelvic inflammatory disease, and family practitioners were more likely to deviate from the guidelin es, Conclusions: Pelvic inflammatory disease is commonly encountered b y primary care physicians in California, Training and experience were important predictors of compliance with the Centers for Disease Contro l and Prevention recommendations; however, substantial divergence from the guidelines occurs.