Acceptance and self-reported use of national occupational medicine practice guidelines

The authors conducted a survey to ascertain post-training attitudes and sel f-reported use of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Me dicine occupational medicine practice guidelines. Trainees were surveyed 3 to 4 months after completing a case-based practice ACOEM occupational pract ice guidelines seminar. Of 96 physician respondents, 95% reported that the guidelines improved their practice in some manner, Fifty-two percent of phy sicians thought that guideline use decreased medical costs, Seventy-one per cent reported that their care complied with the guidelines in 70% or more o f their cases; however, "actually considering the guidelines in particular cases" was reported by only 47%. Discussion of cases was frequent (92%) and involved physicians, patients, and other health care providers. We conclud ed that physicians' attitudes toward the guidelines are positive and that r eported compliance is high. Guidelines are discussed frequently.