Table 2 Description of the five study behaviors, definition and mean (SD) rates of performing the objective measures of these behaviors, mean (SD) simulated behavior scores and mean (SD) intention scores
From: Explaining clinical behaviors using multiple theoretical models
Study Behaviors | Objective measures of behavior | Mean (SD) rates of behavior | Simulated behavior Mean (SD) scenario scores (out of 5) | Intention Mean (SD) (out of 7) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
General Dental | ||||
Taking Dental Radiographs: Taking small or medium intra-oral radiographs (not for orthodontic reasons) | Number of intra oral radiographs taken per course of treatment Data obtained from a national fee claims database used for paying dental practitioners | 20.3 (9.0) radiographs per 100 courses of treatment | Would take 2.4 (1.2) radiographs | 4.8 (1.3) |
Performing Dental Restorations: The use of restorations in managing caries in permanent teeth in children (patients under 17 years of age) | Number of restorations per 100 courses of treatment Data obtained from a national fee claims database used for paying dental practitioners. | 10.4 (4.3) restorations per 100 courses of treatment | Would restore in 2.9 (1.1) cases | 4.9 (1.1) |
Placing Fissure Sealants: Placing a fissure sealant in a 6 to 16 year old patient | Unable to reliably measure behavior given the target age group |  | Would place fissure sealants for 2.03 (1.54) cases | 4.9 (1.2) |
General Medical | ||||
Managing URTIs Without Prescribing Antibiotics: Managing patients presenting with an upper respiratory tract infection (include sore throats, nasal discharge and coughs) in primary care without prescribing an antibiotic | Mean number of prescriptions for an antibiotic issued per 100 patients registered with each primary care practice per year Data derived from a national database of issued prescriptions | 57 (31) prescriptions per 100 patients registered per year | Would prescribe for 1.6 (1.2) cases | 5.8 (0.8) |
Managing Low Back Pain Without Ordering Lumbar Spine X-rays: Managing patients presenting with uncomplicated low back pain in primary care without referring them for a lumbo-sacral spine x-ray | Mean number of lumbar spine x-rays taken per 1000 patients registered with each primary care practice per year Data derived from the reporting systems of the hospitals where the x-rays were performed | 5.0 (8.9) x-rays per 1000 patients registered per year | Would refer for lumbar spine x-ray in 1.5 (1.2) cases | 5.9 (1.0) |