Factors associated with high prescribing of benzodiazepines and minor opiates. A survey among general practitioners in Norway.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the factors associated with high-volume prescribing of benzodiazepines and minor opiates--background characteristics, personal prescribing habits and general attitudes to prescribing.


METHODS
A questionnaire survey. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression.


METHODS
General practitioners in Norway.


METHODS
Every third general practitioner from the list of members of the Norwegian Medical Association.


METHODS
Odds ratios for being a high prescriber.


RESULTS
The main predictors of high-volume prescribing were: patients allowed to influence prescribing decisions, benzodiazepines and minor opiates prescribed without consultation, prescribing perceived as difficult and the doctor being male.


CONCLUSIONS
Emotional and relational aspects play an important part in decisions on prescribing benzodiazepine and minor opiates. Our findings indicate that there is potential for improvement in prescribing practice; for instance, by investigating how and to what extent prescribing decisions are influenced by patients and how the difficulties experienced influence the decision process. Better practice routines could be considered such as not prescribing these drugs without consultation.
Bjørner
Trine
T
Department of General Practice, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. trine.bjorner@samfunnsmed.uio.no
Laerum
Even
E
D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009664:Norway; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012941:Social Responsibility; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D009294:Narcotics; D001569:Benzodiazepines