Australian dispensing doctors’ prescribing not overdone

January 01, 0001

Australian dispensing doctors’ prescribing not overdone

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prescribing practices of Australian dispensing doctors (DDs) and to explore their interpretations of the findings. The quantitative phase comprised analysis of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) claims data of DDs and non-DDs, 1 July 2005 - 30 June 2007. The qualitative phase involved semi-structured interviews with DDs in rural and remote general practice across Australian states, August 2009 - February 2010.

72 DDs’ and 1080 non-DDs’ PBS claims data were analysed quantitatively. DDs issued fewer prescriptions per 1000 patients (9452 v 15 057; significant), even with a similar proportion of concessional patients and patients aged greater than 65 years in their populations. DDs issued significantly more r. 24 prescriptions per 1000 prescriptions than non-DDs (314 v 67; significant). Interviews with 22 DDs explained that the fewer prescriptions were due to perceived expectation from their peers regarding prescribing norms and the need to generate less administrative paperwork in small practices.

The researchers concluded: "Contrary to overseas findings, we found no evidence that Australian DDs overprescribed because of their additional dispensing role."

This may help allay the fears of a blowout of costs if GPs have dispensing rights, although it is limited to Australia.

For the full abstract, click here.

MJA 195(4):172-175, 15 August 2011 © The Medical Journal of Australia 2011
Australian dispensing doctors’ prescribing: quantitative and qualitative analysis. David Lim, Jon D Emery, Janice Lewis and V Bruce Sunderland.

Category: HSR. Health Services Research Keywords: dispensing, doctor, Australia, quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by , Melbourne,. Posted on Global Family Doctor 2 September 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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