title: Differences in physician referral practices and attitudes regarding hereditary breast cancer by clinical practice location.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare physician referral practices and attitudes regarding hereditary breast cancer by clinical practice location.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-administered survey of 214 physicians in Ohio's tri-state region.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rural-practice physicians were less likely to have ever referred for an indication of hereditary breast cancer than urban- and suburban-practice physicians combined. Rural-practice physicians reported stronger barriers to referral, including distance, lack of awareness, lack of effective cancer risk reduction, and lack of patient interest.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings demonstrate a need for increased clinical genetics outreach, physician education, and public awareness of genetic services for hereditary breast cancer in rural areas.
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011365:Professional Practice Location / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data