Dentists' sources of information about patient medications and other issues of medical management

The frequency of use of sources of information about medications used for patients and other issues of medical management are analyzed in a national sample of general practice dentists (GPs). Subgroups of urban/rural, solo/nonsolo, and younger/middle-aged/older dentists are examined for differences between groups. Assessing mean frequency of use for the entire group, the most frequently used sources of medical information are: 1) the consultant network; 2) the patient's physician; and 3) the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR). Professional meetings, professional journals, and pharmaceutical detail people are the least frequently used sources. Frequency of use of information sources is related to solo/nonsolo status and to age, but not locale.