Medical decision making in antipsychotic drug choice for schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
The influence of patient and physician variables on antipsychotic drug choice for patients with schizophrenia was assessed.


METHODS
Interviews with 100 psychiatrists on drug choice for 200 patients suffering from schizophrenia were conducted. Data were analyzed by using multiple logistic regression.


RESULTS
Older physicians were up to five times more likely to prescribe first-generation antipsychotics. Patient variables did not influence treatment decisions significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
There is an urgent need for more research on clinical decision making and quality management.
Hamann
Johannes
J
Psychiatric Department, Technical University of Munich, Möhlstrasse 26, 81675 Munich, Germany. j.hamann@lrz.tu-munchen.de
Langer
Bernadette
B
Leucht
Stefan
S
Busch
Raymonde
R
Kissling
Werner
W
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents