IMPROVING PHYSICIAN PRESCRIBING PRACTICES - BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS

The amelioration of drug prescribing practices holds out the prospect of improving health outcomes without increasing health care spending o r the demands on hospital and ambulatory services. The challenge is to permit prescribes to assert their leadership as patient advocates whi le addressing the need for greater support in therapeutic decision mak ing. Best practice includes the optimal use of drug and nondrug therap ies and must ber supported by research and the timely dissemination of information. The individualization of drug therapy will remain critic al to quality prescribing and will depend on the appropriate preparati on of prescribes for clinical decision making. The principal issues in improving prescribing practices were addressed at a workshop held by the CMA in Ottawa in October 1995, documents from which will be publis hed in CMAJ, beginning with this issue (see page 635 to 640). These is sues deserve consideration by everyone with a stake in both cost-effec tiveness quality of care.