Blood lead testing by pediatricians: practice, attitudes, and demographics.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate adherence and identify ways to improve concordance between blood lead testing guidelines and practice. METHODS: One hundred fifty-five pediatricians responded to a questionnaire assessing demographic, knowledge, and attitudinal factors relating to lead testing. RESULTS: Only 27% of the respondents adhered to the guidelines, and less than half knew all of the answers to three factual questions about the recommendations. Adherence was higher among physicians who knew the guidelines, were more recently trained, or had high proportions of Medicaid or minority patients. CONCLUSIONS: Physician education and financial incentives hold the most promise for increasing adherence to blood lead testing guidelines.