Journalartikel

Jahr der Veröffentlichung: 2012

Seiten: 261-268

Zeitschrift: Pharmacopsychiatry

Bandnummer: 45

Heftnummer: 7

ISSN: 0176-3679

eISSN: 1439-0795

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1312609

Verlag: Georg Thieme Verlag

Abstract: 

Introduction: We investigated factors influencing physicians' treatment decisions regarding 4 antipsychotic treatment strategies for schizophrenia (conventional oral/conventional depot/atypical oral/atypical depot). We analysed the influence of the patient's compliance with medication, socio-economic status (occupational prestige/educational attainment), as well as the influence of gender, age and practice setting (psychiatric/general hospital/private practice) of the prescribing physician.

Methods: We examined the influence of these factors by means of case vignettes. 4 vignettes were constructed with varying levels for compliance and socio-economic status. For each vignette, physicians had to choose one treatment strategy from the 4 alternatives. Data were collected using a survey (n=1342) of physicians in Germany and analysed using a weighted least-squares regression model and a random-effect logit model.

Results: Compliance and status had interactive effects on treatment selection. Low compliance was associated with an increase in selections of depot medication. For high-status, noncompliant patients, physicians selected mainly atypical oral and atypical depot antipsychotics. Low-status, noncompliant patients were mostly given conventional and atypical depot antipsychotics. Noncompliant, low-status patients received conventional depot antipsychotics 4 times as often as noncompliant, high-status patients. The physician's age and practice setting were also related to the treatment selection.

Discussion: Therapeutic decisions are influenced by patients' and the physicians' characteristics. There might be barriers for patients with low compliance and low socio-economic status that prevent them from being prescribed newer medications. Not all physicians seem to have the same choices of treatment options available to them.

Harvard-Zitierstil: Franz, M., Ranger, J., Hanewald, B., Gallhofer, B. and Lay, B. (2012) Influences on Therapist's Decisions for Neuroleptic Treatment in Schizophrenia: The Role of Characteristics of the Patient and the Physician, Pharmacopsychiatry, 45(7), pp. 261-268. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1312609

APA-Zitierstil: Franz, M., Ranger, J., Hanewald, B., Gallhofer, B., & Lay, B. (2012). Influences on Therapist's Decisions for Neuroleptic Treatment in Schizophrenia: The Role of Characteristics of the Patient and the Physician. Pharmacopsychiatry. 45(7), 261-268. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1312609