Acquisition of Knowledge About an Innovation in Patient Management

Abstract

This study focused on the impact of dentists' attitudes and orientations on acquisition of knowledge about the prevention of bacterial endocarditis. Excperts' recommenda tions for the prevention of the disease are periodically revissed: each succeeding revision therefore represents an innovation. Analysis of data collectedfrom a telephone survey revealed that orientations seemingly compatible with the innovation (preventive, innovative) were not predictive of knowledge acquisition concerning it. The predictive power of other orientations (professional, educational) varied according to practice setting (urban/rural). The generalizability of the notion of "compatibilty" as facilitating innovation adoption was found to be limited.