Predictors of physician prescribing intent for triptans in migraine: Development of a model

The purpose of this research was to contribute to the theoretical knowledge base of physician prescribing behavior with a specific focus on triptans in migraine, and to develop a research basis for the application of the attitude model in predicting prescribing intent. A prescribing intent model was formulated utilizing the constructs from Theory of Reasoned Action, Theory of Planned Behavior, and Theory of Trying. The specific objectives of the study were: (1) to determine which of the constructs between attitude and subjective norm significantly predict physician prescribing intent; (2) to determine if perceived behavioral control significantly added to attitude and subjective norm in predicting physician prescribing intent; (3) to determine if frequency of past behavior significantly added to attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control in predicting physician prescribing intent; and (4) to determine if recency of past behavior significantly added to attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and frequency of past behavior in predicting physician prescribing intent.; To achieve the research objectives, an Internet-based survey consisting of 41 items was administered to four physician specialties in medical schools across 13 states in the US. To achieve the desired number of responses, the survey was also put up on the discussion forums of the four physician specialties on the Medscape website. The instrument consisted of items rated on 7-point and 5-point Likert scales. A convenient sample of 127 responses was obtained. The data were analyzed using factor analysis with Vanmax rotation and ordinal logistic regression procedure was used to test the individual hypotheses.; It was observed that attitude by itself was a significant predictor of prescribing intent explaining approximately 20% of the variance. However, addition of subjective norm also contributed a significant 21% of the variance to the predictor model. Perceived behavioral control and recency of past behavior did not contribute to the prediction of the model. Frequency of past behavior (FPB) was a significant predictor and contributed an incremental 5% to the variance in prescribing intent. Overall, between TRA and TPB, TRA was found to be a better predictor of physician prescribing intent. Therefore, prescribing intent can be considered to be a behavior under volitional control. Addition of FPB was also an important contribution in the prediction of prescribing intent over and above TRA.; Understanding the prescribing intent for a generalized sample can enable intervention measures to improve the prescribing process thereby generating improved patient outcomes.