This research utilized conjoint analysis and an analysis of information acquisition to examine the effects of situational involvement and task complexity on physician's decision-making process. The predictive accuracy of the linear model in predicting drug choice across situations was also assessed. A contingency model for the selection of decision strategies was used as a framework in the study. A sample of forty-eight physicians was asked to indicate their preferences and choices for hypothetical anti-infective drugs. Situational involvement was manipulated by telling physicians in the experimental group via the written scenario to assume that his/her decision would be reviewed and evaluated by peers and (s)he would be asked to justify drug choice. Task complexity was manipulated by varying the number of drug alternatives in a choice set. Results of the study indicated that physicians shifted from using compensatory to noncompensatory decision-making processes when task complexity increased. The effect of situational involvement on the decision-making process was not supported. However, physicians in the two groups were found to differ in choice outcomes and the attention given to specific drug attribute information. Finally, the linear model was found to be robust in predicting drug choice across contexts.

The appropriate use of a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation program for chronic pain patients can result in a significant reduction in medical costs.

Many different interventions have been used to influence the prescribing behaviour of physicians, and qualitative evaluations (metaethnography) of such interventions have been reported. So far quantitative evaluations of such interventions have not been reported; this study is an attempt in that direction. Twenty-six published studies (January 1979-September 1991) on the interventions for influencing the prescribing behaviour of physicians were pooled and effect sizes were extracted. Mean effect size (Zr) was 0.559 and Cohen's d = 0.886. Estimated Fail-Safe N was 89. Success rates of interventions varied from 1% to 99%.

INTRODUCTION Objective: (i) To assess quality of life (QoL) profilesIn 1990, geriatrics (aged 65 years and above) accounted in hypertensive geriatrics with SF-36; (ii) to assess for only 1 in every 25 Americans (3·1 million). By 1994 the compliance of geriatrics to medications; (iii) to this figure had risen to 1 in 8 Americans (33·2 million). estimate clinical outcomes (reduction in systolic andIt is projected that there will be 80 million (apdiastolic blood pressure); (iv) to assess life satisproximately 1 in 5) elderly people in the U.S.A. in the faction and (v) to explore the interrelationships of year 2050 (1). By the year 2030, spending on medications QoL, compliance, clinical outcomes and life satisfor elderly people may reach 35-45% of the total nafaction in hypertensive geriatrics.tional expenditure in the U.S.A. Elderly people receive Method: Fifty-nine hypertensive geriatric patients on average nearly five medications at any given time. in cardiology and 65 Plus clinics in West VirginiaElderly people visit physicians more frequently and for Hospitals were studied. each visit more prescriptions for medications are writ-Results: Age showed a significant negative corten than average. Thus the resulting 'polymedicine' relation with physical functioning (r=0·339, (visiting multiple physicians) and 'polypharmacy' (con-PΖ0·0127) and physical role (r=0·335, PΖ0·0148). sulting many pharmacists on prescriptions and over-The physical role facet of SF-36 is correlated with the-counter (OTC) medications) may affect the quality life satisfaction in geriatrics (r=0·316, PΖ0·0219).