[I.P.P.B. therapy at home in chronic respiratory insufficiency in France. I. Survey method. Description of the prescribers. 1960-1977 prescription evolution (author's transl)].

In order to assess the usage of IPPB therapy at home in chronic respiratory insufficiency in France, a mail survey has been conducted among 2,062 chest physicians and physicians involved in intensive care. The response rate was 57%. Among those caring for chronic respiratory insufficient patients, 296, i.e. 38%, have prescribed IPPB to 3,778 patients from 1960 till 1977. A study among a sample of the non-spontaneous-responders allows the estimation of about 400 physicians who prescribed IPPB on the whole for France at this time. Those who prescribed, worked more often in hospital though 4% had only a private practice. Those involved in intensive care prescribed more often than the chest physicians (47% versus 37%). The development of this therapy was different according to the different regions in France. But, in a general way, the prescription of IPPB at home particularly spread out since 1975, 65% of all the prescriptions have been done in 1975, 76, 77.