Effects of a behaviour independent financial incentive on prescribing behaviour of general practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
It is difficult to keep control over prescribing behaviour in general practice. The purpose of this study was to assess the initial effects of a behaviour independent financial incentive on the volume of drug prescribing of general practitioners (GPs).


METHODS
2-Year Controlled Before After study with an intervention region and a concurrent control region.


METHODS
GPs in two regions in the Netherlands (n = 119 and n = 118).


METHODS
A financial incentive for prescribing according to local guidelines on specific drugs or drug categories. The financial incentive consisted of a non-recurrent, behaviour-independent allowance.


METHODS
Change in the number of prescriptions for 10 targeted drugs or drug groups.


RESULTS
Significant changes were seen only in three types of antibiotics and in recommended gastric medicines. In almost all cases, effects were temporary.


CONCLUSIONS
Behaviour independent financial incentives can be a help in changing prescription behaviour of GPs, but effects are small-scale and temporary.
Martens
Jody D
JD
Integrated Care Unit, and Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. jd.martens@caphri.unimaas.nl
Werkhoven
Mirjam J
MJ
Severens
Johan L
JL
Winkens
Ron A G
RA
D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review; D009313:National Health Programs; D009426:Netherlands; D010821:Physicians, Family; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012052:Reimbursement, Incentive; D012189:Retrospective Studies