Improving the quality of antibiotic prescription patterns in general practice. The role of educational intervention.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the quality of antibiotic prescribing by Victorian general practitioners, and the effectiveness of educational intervention techniques in improving prescribing.


METHODS
A randomised, controlled, parallel group trial.


METHODS
In rural and metropolitan Victoria, 182 general practitioners (78 control, 104 intervention) began and 103 (41 control, 62 intervention) completed the study.


METHODS
Participants recorded their antibiotic prescribing for tonsillitis. The intervention group received an educational mailing campaign. A project pharmacist visited each doctor to discuss campaign messages.


METHODS
The percentages of prescriptions of antibiotics for tonsillitis complying with those recommended in Antibiotic guidelines.


RESULTS
In the intervention group, prescriptions consistent with recommendations in the guidelines increased from 60.5% before the campaign to 87.7% afterwards. Improvement also occurred in the control group, from 52.9% to 71.7% of prescriptions. The improvement within the intervention group was significantly greater than that within the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The educational campaign significantly improved the prescribing of appropriate antibiotics for tonsillitis by general practitioners.
De Santis
G
G
VMPF Therapeutics Committee, Parkville, Vic.
Harvey
K J
KJ
Howard
D
D
Mashford
M L
ML
Moulds
R F
RF
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014739:Victoria
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents