International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210112020022521902190ENrivate Family Practice Unit in Heraklion, CreteDepartment of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, LarissaDepartment of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, LarissaDepartment of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, LarissaDepartment of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa20200225<p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Background</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">We aimed to assess general practitioners’ (GPs) knowledge, attitudes, and<br />practices (KAPs) toward screening recommendation guidelines of the United States Preventive<br />Services Task Force (USPSTF). </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Methods</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">The survey was conducted during a 6‑month period in a<br />stratified random sample of GPs, drawn from a national database of GPs in Greece. Participants were<br />queried about their knowledge, attitudes, and self‑reported practice patterns regarding screening in<br />a primary care setting. Sociodemographic characteristics associated with vague screening practicing<br />were identified using multivariable logistic regression models. </span></p><p><strong></strong><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Results</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">A total of 299 participants<br />agreed and underwent telephonic survey (response rate: 78.2%). GPs agreed on the key role<br />of population‑based screening in improving patient care, and nine out of ten reported that their<br />performance would be improved with the adoption of computer‑based support systems in clinical<br />practice. GPs, older than 50 years of age, those who those practicing for more than 15 years and<br />GPs working in private sector, were less likely to comply with screening recommendations. Latent<br />class analysis revealed that male physicians and those working in public sector were more likely to<br />comply with USPSTF recommendations.</span></p><p><strong></strong><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Conclusions</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Our findings highlight the need of educational<br />intervention programs for GPs in order to promote the implementation of national evidence‑based<br />screening recommendation statements in clinical practice.<br /></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0" style="color: #00652e;"><strong>Keywords</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle3">Evidence‑based medicine, general practitioners, Greece, public health, screening</span></p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2190http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2190/717718071