title: Knowledge versus practice: the necessity of education for successful guideline implementation.
abstract: This study assessed physicians' familiarity with a practice guideline for bronchiolitis, evaluated attitudes regarding guidelines, determined preference of educational materials for guideline accessibility and examined the relationship between guideline familiarity and attitudes with clinical practice behaviors. Six months following guideline implementation, surveys were distributed to eligible physicians. The response rate was 68%. Retrospective analyses of inhalation therapies across three study cohorts were also performed. Most physicians surveyed in this study were aware of and utilized a recently introduced guideline, though use of unproven inhalation therapies continued. Despite demonstrated efficiencies of care, continued educational intervention is necessary to sustain these gains.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science, University of Arkansas' College of Education and Health Professions, Fayetteville, USA.
authors.forename: Donald D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: Ronald L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Baldwin
authors.forename: Lori W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D001131:Arkansas; D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000628:therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012138:Respiratory Therapy