Factors influencing neurologists' prescribing of antiseizure medication: The role of physician biography and patient characteristics

Abstract

Objective

Although committed to equal treatment, physicians may be influenced by various non-medical factors when deciding how to treat patients and allocate treatment costs. This study examines how biographical factors and patient characteristics influence physicians’ decisions in the context of antiseizure medication (ASM) prescriptions.

Methods

We re-analysed a cohort from a previous factorial study focusing on physicians’ characteristics. Vignettes showed a fictitious person with epilepsy (PWE) receiving a fictitious ASM. The characteristics of the PWE, the ASM and the epilepsy varied. We asked neurologists to rate the likelihood that they would prescribe the drug to the patient, and to complete a survey on personal characteristics (including age, sex, living situation, professional experience and contact with PWE).

Results

46 neurologists (age 37.1 ± 9.6 years, 65.2 % female) completed the questionnaire. Neurologists who rated themselves as being in the best possible health state or who had private contact with PWE were more likely to prescribe ASM.

Conclusion

Neurologists’ biographies and experiences influenced their decisions about the likelihood of prescribing ASM therapy.