| Abstract |
Introduction: Abuse of prescriptions and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in general practice is a common phenomenon in Southern Europe and there is evidence that irrational prescribing in primary care can introduce considerable consequences in the field of public health, due to adverse reactions and increase of antimicrobial resistance, as well as in the economy. Moreover, abuse of OTC medicine is steadily rising and concerns about inappropriate treatment and adverse drug reactions have been raised, this subject does not appear to have received the attention it deserves in general practice/family practice research, particularly in Europe.
Aim: To design a feasibility study of an educational intervention among physicians serving primary care sector, aiming to change practitioners’ attitudes towards irrational prescribing and abuse of OTCs that will be implemented in five European Countries.
Methods: 28 GPs of each participating country were recruited and allocated in the intervention or control group. The Theory of Planned Behavior, findings of previous Work Packages of the OTC SOCIOMED and a systematic review provide the sources of the design of the educational intervention. The feasibility study aimed to assess to what extent the intervention is acceptable, implementable, practical, and predicts efficacy
Results: A multifaceted intervention was implemented, including a one-day intensive training program, a poster presentation, and regular visits of trained professionals to the workplaces of participants, but also reminder messages and emails over a 4-week period.
A pre- and post-test evaluation design was employed and quantitative and qualitative data were collected at pre- and post intervention level in order to explore the intention of physicians to prescribe medicines as well as their attitudes and practices regarding OTC medicines. The data collection tools included: TPB questionnaire, the Complimentary questionnaire, the Patient Medication form, the One-day seminar questionnaire. Analysis of the collected data provided all necessary information for the focus points of the intervention.
Conclusions: The design and implementation of the feasibility study will provide valuable information required to design a larger study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of such educational interventions. Moreover, it could also help inform health policy-makers regarding issues
Public Health & Health Care Management
Faculty of Medicine – University of Crete
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of the management of behavioral changes in the prescribing patterns of physicians, particularly in Southern European countries, like Greece.
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Ορθολογική συνταγογράφηση και μη συνταγογραφούμενα φάρμακα στην πρωτοβάθμια φροντίδα υγείας : σχεδιασμός μιας μελέτης σκοπιμότητας μιας εκπαιδευτικής παρέμβασης σε γιατρούς στην πρωτοβάθμια φροντίδα υγείας
