Evaluating the impact of educational interventions on use of antithrombotics in Australia.

Purpose: The National Prescribing Service (NPS) aims to improve prescribing and use of medicines consistent with evidence-based best practice. In particular, specific educational programmes were commenced in 2003 to improve general practitioner (GP) prescribing of antithrombotics. This report assesses the impact of these multiple educational interventions in terms of changes in prescribing rates.

Measuring change in prescription drug utilization in Australia.

Purpose: The National Prescribing Service Ltd (NPS) aims to improve prescribing and use of medicines consistent with evidence-based best practice. This report compares two statistical methods used to determine whether multiple educational interventions influenced antibiotic prescription in Australia.

Methods: Monthly data (July 1996 to June 2003) were obtained from a national claims database.

Measurement of changes in antihypertensive drug utilisation following primary care educational interventions.

Purpose: To measure changes in drug utilisation following a national general practice education program aimed at improving prescribing for hypertension.

Methods: A series of nationally implemented, multifaceted educational interventions using social marketing principles focusing on prescribing for hypertension, was commenced in October 1999, and repeated in September 2001 and August 2003. The target group was all primary care prescribers in Australia and interventions were both active (voluntary) and passive.