Factors prompting PSA-testing of asymptomatic men in a country with no guidelines: a national survey of general practitioners.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Increased use of prostate specific antigen (PSA) has been associated with increased prostate cancer incidence. Ireland is estimated to have one of the highest prostate cancer incidences in Europe and has no national guidelines for prostate cancer screening. GPs have a pivotal role in influencing PSA testing, therefore, our aim was to describe GP testing practices and to identify factors influencing these.

Methods

A postal survey, including questions on clinical practice and experience, knowledge and demographics was distributed to all GPs (n = 3,683). The main outcomes were (i) PSA testing asymptomatic men and (ii) "inappropriate" PSA testing, defined as testing asymptomatic men aged < 50 or > 75 years. Factors associated with these outcomes were identified using

SUBMITTER: Drummond FJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2646704 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature