Evaluation of a multifaceted intervention to limit excessive antipsychotic co-prescribing in schizophrenia out-patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of a multifaceted educational intervention on the frequency of antipsychotic co-prescribing in adult schizophrenia out-patients.


METHODS
Controlled quasi-experimental study performed in two Danish municipalities matched for baseline prevalence of antipsychotic polypharmacy, socioeconomic status and functional level of patients. The intervention was aimed at psychiatric healthcare providers and consisted of 1 day of didactic lectures, six 3-h educational outreach visits and an electronic reminder during drug prescribing.


RESULTS
Between-group use of antipsychotic polypharmacy was compared at baseline (intervention group, N = 232/control group, N = 351) and after 1 year of intervention (intervention group, N = 216/control group, N = 386). The prevalence of antipsychotic polypharmacy at follow-up was not significantly different between treatment settings when adjusting for differences in case-mix (P = 0.07).


CONCLUSIONS
This multifaceted educational intervention failed to reduce the frequency of antipsychotic co-prescribing, but it suggested that future efforts to improve prescribing practice should address organizational barriers to implementation.
Baandrup
Lone
L
Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Psychiatric Center Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark. lone.baandrup@cnsr.dk
Allerup
P
P
Lublin
H
H
Nordentoft
M
M
Peacock
L
L
Glenthoj
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000592:standards; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057970:Inappropriate Prescribing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents