Factors affecting the prescribing patterns of antibiotics and injections.
There are serious problems concerning the inadequate prescription of antibiotics and overuse of injections in primary care. However, the determinants of prescription patterns in Korea are not well-documented. To examine the area characteristics affecting the prescription of antibiotics and injections in primary care practices in the treatment of respiratory tract infections (RTIs), a nationwide cross-sectional study was performed in all 250 administrative districts of Korea. The outcome was modeled as a binary variable: over-prescription or not compared with the nation-wide average. Over-prescription of antibiotics was associated with the ratio of specialists to general physicians and over-prescription in previous years in the area (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-14.8; and aOR, 12.0; 95% CI 5.5-25.9, respectively). Over-use of injections was associated with younger population, urban living and the number of hospital beds in the area (aOR, 0.2; 95% CI 0.1-0.4; aOR, 0.3; 95% CI 0.1-0.8; and aOR, 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9; respectively). There were differences in the prescribing patterns in different districts; prescription patterns were affected more by supply factors than by demand factors. Highly competitive medical environment associated with supply factors is a significant determinant of prescription patterns in Korea.
Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kyung-Hyun
KH
Choi
Sang-Min
SM
Park
Ju-Hyun
JH
Lee
Soonman
S
Kwon
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D057970:Inappropriate Prescribing; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents