BACKGROUND: Differences in disease-modifying therapy (DMT) prescribing patterns between different groups of neurologists have not been explored. HYPOTHESIS: MS-specialist neurologists use a broader range of DMTs in contrast to generalist neurologists who preferentially prescribe Avonex. METHODS: Ontario neurologist demographic and geographical characteristics were linked to 2009 DMT prescription data. Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients were constructed to examine prescribing patterns; separating neurologist characteristics dichotomously and separating Avonex from the other DMTs. Gini Coefficients were compared using jack-knife statistical techniques to derive 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Prescriptions are highly concentrated with 12% of Ontario neurologists prescribing 80% of DMTs. High-volume prescribers show a broader range of DMT use while low-volume prescribers tend to use a particular DMT. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of DMTs are prescribed by a small subset of neurologists. High-volume prescribers show more variability in DMT use while low-volume prescribers tend to individually focus on a narrower range of DMTs.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TORONTO/oai:tspace.library.utoronto.ca:1807/32262 |
| Date | 21 March 2012 |
| Creators | Marriott, James John |
| Contributors | O'Connor, Paul |
| Source Sets | University of Toronto |
| Language | en_ca |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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