Healthy Skepticism Library item: 2145

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Publication type: Journal Article

Cormack MA, Howells E.
Factors linked to the prescribing of benzodiazepines by general practice principals and trainees.
Fam Pract 1992 Dec; 9:(4):466-71

Abstract:

Principals and trainees in general practice attending training events were asked to give information about their prescribing of drugs, with a focus on the prescribing of benzodiazepines for psychological problems. High prescribers of benzodiazepines believed that a prescription saved consultation time, tended to be influenced by drug company information and believed that patients expected a prescription. Low prescribers of benzodiazepines did not prescribe for bereavement, wished to have more psychological expertise and offered treatments other than drugs. Doctors classified as empathic from their statements at interview found difficulty in ending consultations and thought that social problems should be part of the general practitioner’s work, although there were no differences between empathic and unsympathetic doctors in overall prescribing rates of benzodiazepines. The data suggest that doctors who are emphatic towards their patients would prescribe less if they had training in psychological skills.

Keywords:
MeSH Terms: Aged Benzodiazepines/administration & dosage* Bereavement Empathy Family Practice* Female Humans Mental Disorders/drug therapy Physician's Practice Patterns* Physician-Patient Relations Pilot Projects Prescriptions, Drug* Workload