Table 1 Baseline characteristics of practicesa
Characteristics of practices | Intervention (n = 26) | Control (n = 26) | Total (n = 52) |
|---|---|---|---|
Practice type | |||
Single-handed practice, no. (%) | 11 (42.3) | 11 (42.3) | 22 (42.3) |
Shared or group practice, no. (%) | 15 (57.7) | 15 (57.7) | 30 (57.7) |
Third-party certification in quality management for medical practices (e.g. QEP), no (%)b | 12 (46.2) | 17 (65.4) | 29 (56.9) |
Location of the practice, no. (%) | |||
Rural (< 20,000 inhabitants) | 12 (46.2) | 10 (38.5) | 22 (42.3) |
Provincial (20,000–100,000 inhabitants) | 9 (34.6%) | 9 (34.6%) | 18 (34.6%) |
Urban (> 100,000 inhabitants) | 5 (19.2%) | 7 (26.9%) | 12 (23.1%) |
Panel size, registered patients per quarter, no. (%)c | |||
500–999 | 7 (26.9) | 1 (3.8) | 8 (15.4) |
1000–1499 | 9 (34.6) | 11 (42.3) | 20 (38.5) |
1500–1999 | 7 (26.9) | 5 (19.2) | 12 (23.1) |
≥ 2000 | 3 (11.5) | 9 (34.6) | 12 (23.1) |
Main focus of the practice, no. (%)d | |||
Cardiology | 13 (50%) | 13 (50%) | 26 (50%) |
Diabetology | 13 (50%) | 13 (50%) | 26 (50%) |
Geriatrics | 9 (34.6%) | 7 (26.9%) | 16 (30.8%) |
Natural medicine | 3 (11.5%) | 4 (15.4%) | 7 (13.5%) |
Structured training courses for patients, no. (%) | 11 (42.3) | 16 (61.5) | 27 (51.9) |
Characteristics of GPs | |||
Male gender, no. (%) | 18 (69.2) | 16 (61.5) | 34 (65.4) |
Age, mean (SD) | 52.4 (7.7) | 49.3 (7.4) | 50.9 (7.7) |
Knowledge test on OAC for GPs, points, mean (SD)e | 9.9 (1.6) | 9.6 (1.5) | 9.7 (1.6) |
Years of job experience since medical school, mean (SD) | 23.1 (8.1) | 20.4 (7.9) | 21.8 (8.0) |
Participated in a study in the last 5 years, no. (%)f | 8 (30.8) | 11 (42.3) | 19 (36.5) |
Characteristics of healthcare assistants | |||
Age, mean (SD) | 40.4 (11.8) | 37.9 (12.4) | 39.2 (12.0) |
Years of job experience (including education), mean (SD) | 19.3 (10.1) | 18.6 (11.7) | 19.0 (10.8) |