Evidence suggests that dentists do not perform early oral cancer (OC) examinations for new patients on a regular basis. In this study we investigate the respective utilities of the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) for explaining private general practice dentists' (GPDs') decision-making behavior with regard to conducting early OC examinations. TRA views behavior as predicted by Behavioral Intention, which, in turn, is predicted by the two constructs, Subjective Norm and Attitude toward the Behavior. TPB expands the TRA model to include the construct Perceived Behavioral Control as an additional predictor. Data collected in summer 2000 by a mail survey of a representative sample of 70 active private general practitioner dentists (response rate=69%) in New York City are used to create summary measures of the model constructs. These measures are used to test the explanatory power of the two models via the use of multiple regression techniques. The dependent variable, used as a proxy for Behavioral Intention, is an index constructed of three items measuring GPDs' willingness to perform components of the OC examination. Contrasting the two models suggests that expanding the original TRA model, R2=.26, by adding Perceived Behavioral Control, helps in the prediction of dentists' willingness to perform OC examinations, R2=.41. Understanding the relative importance of the model components can help to shape the content and design of interventions to motivate GPDs' increased performance of early OC examinations.
Learning Objectives: The participant will (1) learn current statistics on dentists' adherence to accepted clinical practice guidelines regarding early oral cancer detection, (2) become aware of the potential for using social-psychological theories of behavior, such as the Theory of Reasoned Action and the Theory of Planned Behavior, for elucidating the process by which clinicians come to adhere to clinical practice guidelines, and in particular, the process by which dentists come to perform oral cancer prevention and early detection behaviors, and (3) consider the applicability of study results based on such theories for informing the content and design of future interventions.
Keywords: Cancer Prevention, Providers
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.