title: Survey of migraineurs referred to headache specialists: care, satisfaction, and outcomes.
abstract: The authors report a survey of 281 migraineurs recently referred to headache specialists by primary care physicians. Compared with care before referral, specialists spent substantially more time with patients and were more likely to ask patients to take a prophylactic drug and to keep a headache diary, to discuss migraine triggers, and to prescribe 5-hydroxytryptamine1B/1D agonists (triptans). After referral, patients reported improved satisfaction with care and significant decreases in frequency, duration, and severity of attacks.
authors.affiliation: Outcomes Research & Management, US Human Health, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA, USA.
authors.forename: X H
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kunkel
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gerard
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Markson
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Berger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome