Direct mailing as a means of disseminating NIH consensus statements. A comparison with current techniques

Area of Science:

• Medical Information Dissemination
• Health Communication Research
• Evidence-Based Medicine Implementation

Background:

• Traditional methods for disseminating medical information to physicians are well-established.
• Evaluating novel dissemination strategies is crucial for improving healthcare practices.
• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Medical Applications of Research seeks to optimize information reach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of mass mailing consensus statements compared to traditional dissemination.
• To quantify the impact of direct mailings on physician awareness of medical guidelines.
• To inform strategies for efficient and impactful medical knowledge transfer.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted among 695 physicians across five specialties in two metropolitan areas.
• The study focused on the NIH consensus statement regarding osteoporosis.
• Physician awareness was measured before and after dissemination interventions.

Main Results:

• Direct mailing of the consensus statement resulted in a small but statistically significant increase in physician awareness.
• The study compared the awareness gains against the associated costs and the effectiveness of alternative dissemination channels.
• The findings highlight a trade-off between direct mailing's reach and its resource implications.

Conclusions:

• Mass mailing can enhance physician awareness of medical consensus statements, albeit modestly.
• The cost-benefit analysis of direct mailing versus other dissemination methods is essential for strategic planning.
• Optimizing the dissemination of medical research findings requires a nuanced approach considering multiple factors.