Table 2 Influence of baseline characteristics on response pattern (data from Healthcare Monitor 2003)

Block 1: „The physician can best treat the patient...

1.1 ..on the basis of scientific knowledge – in form of guidelines."

Age (years)

≤45

46 to 54

≥55

Degree of agreement n

134

182

184

500

41.8

35.2

50.5

42.6

Age of practice (years)

≤10

11–20

≥21

Degree of agreement n

167

243

93

503

39.5

42.0

49.5

42.5

Block 3: „In the care of my patients I...

3.2 ..use guidelines only as an exception."

No of staff/practice

1–3

4–5

≥6

Degree of agreement n

151

191

160

502

%

28.5

20.9

16.3

21.7

Number of patients in practice/three-month period

<1000

1000–1400

≥1400

Degree of agreement n

150

129

165

444

%

26.7

25.6

15.8

22.0

3.3 ..reject guidelines, because they are not practical enough."

Age of practice (years)

≤10

11–20

≥21

Degree of agreement n

166

242

93

500

%

16.3

22.3

28.0

21.4

3.5 ..so far do not work with guidelines, because I do not know enough about them."

Age of practice (years)

≤10

11–20

≥21

Degree of agreement n

165

238

93

496

%

2.4

8.8

9.7

6.9

Patients seen multiple time/3-month period

<30%

30–50%

≥50%

Degree of agreement n

138

174

185

497

%

10.9

7.5

4.3

7.2

Block 4: "I would work with guidelines which...

4.4..were developed by medical societies."

Age of practice (years)

≤10

11–20

≥21

Degree of agreement n

167

241

92

500

64.7

62.2

57.6

62.2

4.6..were developed by a network of physicians, which I belong to."

Age (years)

≤45

46 to 54

≥55

Degree of agreement n

133

181

178

492

%

65.4

56.3

44.4

54.5

Age of practice (years)

≤10

11–20

≥21

Degree of agreement n

166

237

92

495

66.3

48.9

44.6

53.9