Prescribing antidepressants and benzodiazepines in the Netherlands: is chronic physical illness involved?

In this study we assessed differences in new and repeat prescriptions of psycho-tropics between patients receiving prescriptions for drugs to treat a common chronic disease and people without such prescriptions. The study used the databases of two Dutch health insurance companies (3 million people). We selected all Dutch men and women aged 45 and older who were registered for six consecutive years (1999-2004).

A cluster randomized controlled trial aimed at implementation of local quality improvement collaboratives to improve prescribing and test ordering performance of general practitioners: study protocol.

Background: The use of guidelines in general practice is not optimal. Although evidence-based methods to improve guideline adherence are available, variation in physician adherence to general practice guidelines remains relatively high. The objective for this study is to transfer a quality improvement strategy based on audit, feedback, educational materials, and peer group discussion moderated by local opinion leaders to the field.

Pharmaceutical care and its relationship to prescribing behaviour of general practitioners.

Objective: To study the correlation between pharmaceutical care and prescribing routines of general practitioners (GPs).

Methods: Cross-sectional study; 201 pharmacies, 408 general practices, The Netherlands, 2000/2001. The variation in prescribing behaviour was characterised using 20 validated prescribing indicators based on general practice guidelines.

Differences in prescribing between GPs: impact of the cooperation with pharmacists and impact of visits from pharmaceutical industry representatives.

Background: Community pharmacists, pharmaceutical industry and differences in prescribing between GPs.

Objective: To explore the role of the pharmacists and pharmaceutical industry representatives.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken of 1434 GPs in The Netherlands in 2001.

Pharmacists in primary care. Determinants of the care-providing function of Dutch community pharmacists in primary care.

Objective: To identify determinants of the care-providing function of the community pharmacists (CPs) to explain variations in professional practice.

Setting: The Netherlands 2001.

Participants: 328 CPs.

Prescribing indicators. Development and validation of guideline-based prescribing indicators as an instrument to measure the variation in the prescribing behaviour of general practitioners.

Background: Differences in prescribing behaviour among general practitioners (GPs).

Aim: To formulate and validate clinical prescribing indicators based on general practice guidelines.

Design: Validatory study.

Changing relationships: attitudes and opinions of general practitioners and pharmacists regarding the role of the community pharmacist.

Background: Relationship between general practitioners and pharmacists.

Aim: To explore similarities and differences in opinions between general practitioners and pharmacists about the pharmacist's role. To identify factors which determine the attitude of the general practitioner towards the role of the pharmacist as a care provider.