Factors in Anticoagulation Choice in Pulmonary Embolism
Author Information
Author(s): Stubblefield William B. MD MPH, Helderman Ron MD, Strokes Natalie DO MPH MS, Greineder Colin F. MD PhD, Barnes Geoffrey D. MD MsC, Vinson David R. MD, Westafer Lauren M. DO MPH MS
Primary Institution: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Hypothesis
What are factors associated with initial anticoagulation choice in hospitalized patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE)?
Conclusion
Physicians reported common barriers and facilitators to the use of guideline-concordant anticoagulation in patients hospitalized with acute PE.
Supporting Evidence
- Physicians expressed agnosticism regarding anticoagulant choice.
- Barriers included inertia of learned practice and therapeutic momentum.
- Participants reported institutional culture influenced their anticoagulation strategies.
Takeaway
Doctors often don't care which blood thinner they use for patients with a lung clot, and they stick to what they learned in training instead of following the best guidelines.
Methodology
This qualitative study conducted semistructured interviews with physicians to assess factors influencing anticoagulation choice.
Potential Biases
Potential social desirability bias may have influenced participant responses.
Limitations
The study's qualitative nature limits generalizability, and participants may have provided socially desirable responses.
Participant Demographics
Of the 46 interviewees, 33 were men (71.7%) and 13 were women (28.3%), with a median age of 43 years.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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