Evaluation of the consensus conference program in Sweden. Its impact on physicians

The impact of consensus conferences on physicians was studied in 1985 for the first four conferences Sweden held in 1982-1985. For each conference a main target group was defined as hospital-based physicians in supervisory positions within relevant clinics. Data were collected through a postal survey of all 1,668 members of the four different target groups. The total response rate was 86%. Reported awareness of a particular consensus conference as well as professed knowledge of a single conference statement was high--roughly 90%--for all four conferences. The consensus statement evoked changes in clinical practice according to 7%-10% of the respondents and changes were proportionally higher for physicians in smaller hospitals. Most of the respondents (61%-83%) reported no change, claiming that the consensus statement reflected clinical practices established prior to the conference. The validity of self-reported data is discussed.