Patient attitudes towards and experiences with an intervention programme to reduce chronic acid-suppressing drug intake in primary care.
OBJECTIVE
Many patients are using acid-suppressing drugs (ASD) unnecessary. An insurance company initiated intervention programme aiming at reduction of chronic ASD use, was introduced in primary care-practices. We evaluated the attitude and experiences of the participating patients.


METHODS
A survey was conducted among a random sample of 2376 long-term ASD users using a validated questionnaire that combined CAHPS and QUOTE methodology. Using a psychometric principal component analysis we assessed the role of GPs in three scales: quality of support; communication and conduct; involvement in decisions. Both the importance of and experiences with quality items, transformed into quality impact indices, were measured.


RESULTS
Of 2376 questionnaires distributed, 1808 (76%) were returned, 1270 (54%) were valid. 188 were of patients that participated in the programme. The majority was dissatisfied with the GPs' support: no information about rebound side effects (76%), lifestyle habits (68%), and reasons to stop (50%). Compared to the non-participants 9% more participants stopped ASD use (P = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
A majority of patients on chronic ASD was prepared to participate in the drug-reduction programme. Although 16% succeeded in stopping ASD use, the majority was dissatisfied with the role of the GP. Improved GP support might have make more patients stop using ASD.
Smeets
Hugo M
HM
UMC, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands. h.m.smeets@umcutrecht.nl
De Wit
Niek J
NJ
Delnoij
Diana M J
DM
Hoes
Arno W
AW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000863:Antacids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010819:Physician's Role; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D011594:Psychometrics; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000863:Antacids