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A mail survey of 1,040 primary care physicians in Maryland examined their beliefs about the importance of 25 behaviors for promoting the health of the average person. Physician

Homogeneous groups surveyed about issues of concern to them may require few follow-ups because respondents provide role-specific answers representative of others in that role. The authors analyzed three questionnaire mailings to 1,535 physicians that produced 977 responses (604 first, 252 second, and 85 third mailing). The only demographic or substantive variable significantly different between mailings was medical specialty. This supports the hypothesis that surveys of homogeneous groups, such as physicians in one specialty, may require fewer follow-up efforts. However, using few follow-ups must be done cautiously to avoid nonresponse bias and insure sufficient sample size.The role of physician involves membership in a relatively homogej neous professional group. Physicians are both self-selected and screened by admissions committees, and also subjected to a long and standardized process of socialization into the physician role. As important decision makers in the health care system, physicians are frequently surveyed AUTHORS' NOTE: The authors thank Susan Malamet for assistance tn selecting the sample.

A profile of referrals can help to define the characteristics of a physician's practice. Self-reported referral patterns in the practices of Family/General Practitioners (FP/GP), Internists (IM), and Obstetricians/Gynecologists (OB/GYN) in Maryland were assessed with a questionnaire mailed to an area sample of 1,715 physicians. A 65% response rate was obtained after three mailings (weighted N = 1,487). Self-reported referrals received per month averaged 16% of patients seen (six percent FP/GP, 13% OB/GYN, 23% IM), and were more frequent among self-employed, younger, metropolitan and female physicians who spent less time in patient care. Self-reported referrals made per month averaged ten percent (10% FP/GP), 11% IM, and eight percent OB/GYN), and were higher for physicians in metropolitan areas. The correlation between percentage referrals received and percentage referrals made was r = .19 (r = .03 FP/GP, r = .21 IM, r = .25 OB/GYN). Self-reported practice referral patterns are similar to referrals reported in prior studies, and can be used to consider specialty differences in referral behavior of physicians.

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