Benzodiazepine prescriptions and therapist non-compliance.
In an investigation of benzodiazepine (BDZ) prescription patterns, psychiatrists in private practice were found to exhibit "therapist non-compliance" with regard to general medical recommendations for BDZ use. The findings indicate that BDZ prescriptions in general (53% among patients treated with psychotropics) as well as long-term treatment of patients (37%) are quite common among private practice psychiatrists. BDZ treatment is not restricted to "minor psychiatric disorders", and contrary to the guidelines, even patients with substance dependence are not excluded. A positive association was found for BDZ use and patients' self-reported symptoms and health complaints, the number of other medications prescribed and age. In a discussion of therapist non-compliance it is proposed that this may be a consequence of a symptom-based treatment model, individual health concepts, the doctor-patient relationship and physician's cost-benefit analysis. Thus, psychiatrists' non-compliance may reflect to some extent a case-oriented treatment rationale.
Geiselmann
B
B
Forschungsgruppe Ambulante Therapie an der Psychiatrischen Klinik und Poliklinik der Freien Universität Berlin.
Linden
M
M
Sachs-Ericsson
N
N
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D001604:Berlin; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines