Effect of physicians opinion on patients' choice of treatment.
BACKGROUND
While it is obvious that patients should be involved in the decision making process, questions arise as to whether it is feasible to inform them objectively.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of the physician's opinion, on the choice of treatment, to the patient.


METHODS
We imagined a hypothetical case of a 55-years-old woman with a high risk of osteoporosis. Two patient information letters were written, containing valid scientific information, but reflecting two diverging physicians' opinions, giving the choice between two available medications for osteoporosis prevention: hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), raloxifene.


METHODS
We submitted one of the letters (by lottery) to 58 nurses. They were asked to act as this potential patient, and to choose which treatment they preferred to have prescribed.


RESULTS
23/30 women receiving the version favouring the use of HRT, preferred HRT, 26/28 receiving the version favouring SERM preferred this treatment (Chi-Square Pearson 37.3; P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The content of the information provided and its wording have a great influence on the patients' decision.
Rozenberg
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Free University of Brussels (ULB), Hospital St Pierre, rue Haute 322, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. serge.rozenberg@skynet.be
Ham
H
H
D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010819:Physician's Role; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use
D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride