Master of Science (MS), University of Toledo, 2018, Pharmaceutical Sciences (Health Outcomes and Socioeconomic Sciences)

Objectives: To determine the development of physician likelihood to refer based off the conceptual meaning of the hierarchical arrangement of items. To examine relationships between predictors* and the likelihood of referring patients to DSME programs. To determine the predictors* of physician likelihood to refer patients to DSME programs. To assess the likelihood of referral to DSME among practice specialties. *Predictors include: age, sex, practice specialty (family/general practitioner, internal medicine, endocrinology, or other), practice setting (hospital, medical group, private practice, or other), percentage of patients with diabetes seen monthly, attitude toward referring to DSME, social norm toward referring to DSME, and perceived behavioral control toward referring to DSME. Methods: Rasch analysis was used to calibrate the survey instrument and asses development of likelihood to refer. Pearson's correlation was performed to assess relationships among predictors and likelihood of physician referral. A linear regression was used to determine predictors of physician likelihood to refer. After analysis and assessing responses, it was determined additional post hoc analysis was needed. One-way ANOVA was conducted to assess the likelihood of referral among provider types and practice settings. Results: Some attitudes and aspects of self-efficacy may be critical antecedents of intention to refer patients with type 2 diabetes to DSME. However, no conceptually meaningful arrangement of items was identified when assessing development of likelihood to refer. Physician intent to refer patients to DSME demonstrated a moderately positive relationship with attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control (r = 0.369, 0.339, 0.478, respectively, p < 0.001 all). Provider type was found to have a weak negative relationship with intent (r = -.123, p = 0.013) and perceived behavioral control (r = -.153, p = 0.002). Percentage of patients with diabetes had a w (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Sharrel Pinto PhD (Committee Chair); Stone Gregory PhD (Committee Member); Puffer Cindy RPh (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Behaviorial Sciences; Health; Health Care; Health Care Management; Health Education; Health Sciences; Medicine; Pharmacy Sciences; Public Health Education; Social Research