The influence of specialists on prescribing by GPs. A qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate specialists' influence on prescribing by general practitioners.


METHODS
A focus group study of 35 GPs.


METHODS
Hunter Urban Division of General Practice, New South Wales.


RESULTS
Although GPs thought specialists had only a small influence on their prescribing overall, it was substantial in some clinical areas, in complex conditions and conditions seen infrequently. Specialists were seen as authoritative and unbiased. Local specialists were particularly influential. Specialist influence came from seeing how specialists managed patients, clinical meetings, and specific verbal advice. It influenced the prescribing of new drugs, selection of drugs within a class and sometimes changed established prescribing practices.


CONCLUSIONS
Interventions to change GPs' prescribing practices should address the importance of specialist influence, and not focus on GPs alone.
Robertson
Jane
J
School of Medical Practice and Population Health, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, New South Wales. jroberts@mail.newcastle.edu.au
Treloar
Carla J
CJ
Sprogis
Arn
A
Henry
David A
DA
D003253:Consultants; D005194:Family Practice; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008511:Medicine; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013038:Specialization