Does indirect consultation lead to overprescribing in general practice?

Flora M. Haaijer-Ruskamp, Roy Stewart () and Harry Wesseling

Social Science & Medicine, 1987, vol. 25, issue 1, 43-46

Abstract: Indirect consultations (by telephone or receptionist) are of increasing importance in general practice and may result in more prescribing than during direct (face to face)-consultations. We analysed prescribing data for 14,660 disorders, presented in one week in 52 general practices. In general, a significant, but hardly relevant increase in prescribing during indirect consultations was observed. The effect varies strongly for different disorders and was especially relevant for repeat-prescriptions for the following conditions: musculoskeletal-and connective tissue diseases, endocrine, nutritional and metabolic disorders and disorders of the female genital tract.

Keywords: drug; use; prescribing; consultation; behaviour (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1987
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