Exploring physician gender bias in the initiation of prescribing cascades for older men and women: a qualitative clinical vignette study protocol.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

A prescribing cascade occurs when a drug is prescribed to manage the often unrecognised side effect of another drug; these cascades are of particular concern for older adults who are at heightened risk for drug-related harm. It is unknown whether, and to what extent, gender bias influences physician decision-making in the context of prescribing cascades. The aim of this transnational study is to explore the potential impact of physician implicit gender biases on prescribing decisions that may lead to the initiation of prescribing cascades in older men and women in two countries, namely: Canada and Italy.

Methods and analysis

Male and female primary care physicians at each site will be randomised 1:1 to a case vignette that features either a male or female older

SUBMITTER: Borhani P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10373696 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature