Physician directed information prescription service (IPs): barriers and drivers

Abstract

Purpose - The objective of this study is to find out physicians' attitudes towards prescribing information to patients and the barriers they may face regarding IPs to patients. Design/methodology/approach - A cross-sectional survey of 176 physicians working as clinical faculty members of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences about the information prescription service (IPs) was undertaken using a structured and validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and a Fisher's exact test or chi square test were used to analyze data. A P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. All data were analyzed using SPSS.17.0. Findings - The study found that physicians are positive about providing IPs. Most of the specialists, i.e. 95.4 per cent (n = 167) completely agreed with prescribing information to patients. The physicians rated barriers that they may face in offering IPs. Majority of the specialists 97 per cent (n = 174) acknowledged that patients have the right to receive IPs while being seen by healthcare providers. The study did not find significant association between specialty of physicians with their opinion about importance and necessity of IPs. However, there is a statistically significant relationship between the physicians' specialty and their opinions about the following ideas: "information may create side effects" (p = 0.01), "the stage of diseases that patient experiences is important and to be considered in personalization of IPs" (p = 0.01). Originality/value - This study is unique because there are no similar studies in the published literature. Physicians are one of the main stakeholders in IPs, therefore it is important to find out their opinions and attitudes towards prescription of information.