Randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of feedback in improving test ordering in general practice.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of feedback on the number of pathology tests ordered by general practices.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
General practices in two primary care groups in Leicestershire, UK.


METHODS
58 general practitioners in 17 practices received guidelines then feedback at 3-month intervals for 1 year about the numbers of thyroid function, rheumatoid factor tests and urine cultures they ordered, and 38 general practitioners in 16 practices received guidelines then feedback about lipid and plasma viscosity tests.


METHODS
Numbers of tests requested per thousand patients registered with each practice. RESULTS; There were no changes in the numbers of tests per thousand requested in either of the study groups for any of the tests.


CONCLUSIONS
Feedback did not have an influence on test ordering by general practitioners in this study. More intensive strategies may be required to change the use of laboratory tests.
Baker
Richard
R
Clinical Governance Research and Development Unit, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Leicester, Leicester General Hospital, UK. rb14@le.ac.uk
Falconer Smith
James
J
Lambert
Paul C
PC
D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D005246:Feedback; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014600:Utilization Review