Professional Characteristics

Rural healthcare professionals were significantly more likely than urban professionals to discuss side effects, recommended dietary allowances, and dietary sources when prescribing MVMs. Fellowship holders were significantly more likely to discuss dietary sources, consider patients' dietary habits, and prescribe MVMs on patient demand. Significant differences in prescribing and consultation practices appeared mainly by practice location and education level. Advanced training may improve some counselling while not fully preventing non-evidence-based prescribing pressure. Advanced clinical training may influence counselling and prescription decisions.