Evaluation of Vitamin Prescribing by Physicians at a University Hospital

Abstract

Objectives: Vitamins are frequently included in physicians' prescriptions. Our study aims to determine the physicians' knowledge about vitamins and nutrition, detect the factors affecting their vitamin prescribing, and gain information about their vitamin prescribing behaviors. Materials and Methods: Our study included 368 physicians who volunteered to participate in the study. We prepared and used a questionnaire, which consisted of 7 questions about sociodemographic data, 13 questions about nutrition knowledge, 13 questions about physicians' attitudes towards prescribing vitamins, and seven questions about the factors affecting the vitamin prescribing behaviors of physicians. Results: The most frequently recommended supplements by physicians were vitamin D (62.50%), vitamin C (56.25%), and vitamin B12 (54.89%). Physicians with 11 years or more years in the profession (p