Em. Sumartojo et al., CAN PHYSICIANS TREAT TUBERCULOSIS - REPORT ON A NATIONAL SURVEY OF PHYSICIAN PRACTICES, American journal of public health, 87(12), 1997, pp. 2008-2011
Objectives. Researchers examined physicians' treatment strategies for
tuberculosis to determine whether they would follow recommendations of
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Thora
cic Society. Methods. A national survey sampled 1772 physicians. Analy
ses tested correlates of recommended treatment regimens. Results. Amon
g respondents, 59.4% described a recommended regimen. Specialists; phy
sicians aware of professional publications, treatment recommendations,
and reporting requirements; and those having more than 50% of patient
s in nursing homes were more likely to describe recommended regimens,
Physicians who had been in practice longer, relied on personal experie
nce, or had more than 50% of patients receiving Medicaid were less lik
ely to describe recommended regimens. Conclusions. Physicians who trea
t tuberculosis require training and support. Policymakers should consi
der who should treat tuberculosis and how recommended practice should
be ensured.