title: Understanding physician-level barriers to the use of individualized risk estimates in percutaneous coronary intervention.
abstract: The foundation of precision medicine is the ability to tailor therapy based upon the expected risks and benefits of treatment for each individual patient. In a prior study, we implemented a software platform, ePRISM, to execute validated risk-stratification models for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and found substantial variability in the use of the personalized estimates to tailor care. A better understanding of physicians' perspectives about the use of individualized risk-estimates is needed to overcome barriers to their adoption.
  
  
  
  In a qualitative research study, we conducted interviews, in-person or by telephone, with 27 physicians at 8 centers that used ePRISM until thematic saturation occurred. Data were coded using descriptive content analyses.
  
  
  
  Three major themes emerged among physicians who did not use ePRISM to support decision making: (1) "Experience versus Evidence," physicians' preference to rely upon personal experience and subjective assessments rather than objective risk estimates; (2) "Omission of Therapy," the perception that the use of risk models leads to unacceptable omission of potentially beneficial therapy; and (3) "Unnecessary Information," the opinion that information derived from risk models is not needed because physicians' decision making is already sound and they already know the information.
  
  
  
  Barriers to the use of risk models in clinical practice include physicians' perceptions that their experience is sufficient, that models may lead to omission of therapy in patients that may benefit from therapy, and that they already provide good care. Anticipating and overcoming these barriers may improve the adoption of precision medicine.
authors: Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas City, MO; University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO.
authors: Carole
authors: C
authors: Decker
authors: University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO.
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Garavalia
authors: Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas City, MO.
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Garavalia
authors: Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas City, MO.
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Gialde
authors: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.
authors: Robert W
authors: RW
authors: Yeh
authors: Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas City, MO; University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Spertus
authors: Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas City, MO; University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO. Electronic address: achhatriwalla@saint-lukes.org.
authors: Adnan K
authors: AK
authors: Chhatriwalla
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D000072096:Cardiologists; D000066491:Clinical Decision-Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; D010820:Physicians; D057285:Precision Medicine; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018570:Risk Assessment