BMJ  2004;329 (21 August), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7463.0-c

Prescribing behaviour can be improved

Changing prescribing behaviour is difficult—but feasible. Welschen and colleagues (p 431) randomised 100 general practitioners to a multiple intervention consisting of group training on indications for and use of antibiotics for respiratory tract symptoms, training in communication skills, monitoring and feedback on prescribing behaviour, group education for general practitioners' assistants and pharmacists, and patient education material, or to no training. After nine months, doctors in the intervention group were less likely to prescribe antibiotics, and patients' satisfaction remained high.

Credit: PHANIE/REX

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Effectiveness of a multiple intervention to reduce antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract symptoms in primary care: randomised controlled trial

Ineke Welschen, Marijke M Kuyvenhoven, Arno W Hoes, and Theo J M Verheij
BMJ 2004 329: 431. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]