INFLUENCING PRESCRIBING IN PRIMARY-CARE - A COMPARISON OF 2 DIFFERENTPRESCRIBING FEEDBACK METHODS

This study evaluated two different methods of providing practice-based , antibiotic prescribing feedback to general practitioners (GPs). The impact of face-to-face prescribing discussion visits led by a pharmace utical prescribing adviser were compared to the provision of practice specific prescribing analysis workbooks. Sixty-six practices within on e Family Health Services Authority were randomly stratified into one o f two groups (Group 1: visits; Group 2: workbooks). The 23 practices w ho did not wish to participate were used as a self selected control gr oup (Group 3). Twelve months after the start of the programme, visits were extended to Group 2 and Group 3. Prescribing patterns were evalua ted using five prescribing indicators, before and at 12 and 24 months after the start of the programme. Analysis of practice prescribing pat terns at 12 months demonstrated that the desired changes in the select ed five indicators were greater in Group 1 than Group 2 or Group 3; ch anges were statistically significant for indicators 5, 4 and 2 in each group, respectively. After 24 months all groups demonstrated signific ant changes in five indicators. Face-to-face visits proved the most su ccessful of the two methods to influence GP prescribing, although the workbook promoted more change than that seen in the control group.