[Qualitative and economc impact of implementing GP guidelines in a medical practitioners' network].

The aims of the study were to determine whether the participants of a practitioners' network changed their prescribing behaviour according to the guidelines discussed and to assess the implications for drug costs. Guidelines concerning the prescription of lipid-lowering drugs, antidiabetics and cardiovascular drugs were introduced in quality circles with about 90 participants in a practitioners' network. All statutory health care insurance physicians of Hesse served as comparison group.