Abstract
PURPOSE:: To evaluate the presence of cognitive biases among retina physicians when recommending treatment options for exudative age-related macular degeneration. METHODS:: Two random samples of retina specialists were surveyed regarding their treatment and dosing regimen choices among three anti-vascular endothelial growth factor biologics (aflibercept, bevacizumab, and ranibizumab). One group was asked to provide recommendations for a standardized hypothetical patient with exudative age-related macular degeneration, whereas the other group was asked to provide recommendations as if they themselves were the standardized hypothetical patient with exudative age-related macular degeneration. RESULTS:: Two hundred and twenty-six respondents (28.3%) completed the survey and were divided equally between the survey groups. For patients, most physicians recommended bevacizumab (52.2%), but when choosing for themselves, physicians were divided equally among all 3 biologics (P = 0.011). The results were influenced by geographical location of the physician but not by the gender or length of practice. Furthermore, physicians differed in dosing regimen selection with the majority (73%) choosing treat and extend for patients, whereas only 63% selected this regimen for themselves (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION:: When considering cases of exudative age-related macular degeneration, physicians would recommend different treatments for themselves than they would for a patient.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1796-1801 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Retina |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2014 |
Keywords
- Aflibercept
- Anti-VEGF therapy
- Bevacizumab
- Cognitive biases
- Exudative age-related macular degeneration
- Physician treatment preferences
- Ranibizumab
- Treatment choices for exudative AMD
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ophthalmology