Encouraging best practice in prescribing and Obtaining better health outcomes through cost effective prescribing

Intention to change prescribing after reading HS NZ V2N2 Antimicrobials
1=Not at all
7=Significantly
U=Unspecified

Many respondents indicated that that they did not intend to change their prescribing significantly after reading HS only because it reinforced what they believed they were already doing. Some indicated that it reinforced a change that they had recently made eg in response to education from their IPA.

Here are some examples:

"I largely follow these recommendations already", "But this is because our IPA peer GP mtgs have looked at these issues recently otherwise I might be more affected by your paper" and "I don’t mean to boast but it tends to conform with what I already try to do." Supporting optimal prescribing so that it does not change in response to other forces may be more achievable and as important as changing suboptimal prescribing.

"Thought provoking. Good to review optimal Rx options eg Helicobacter ulcers. This is the most useful aspect for me in helping change my prescribing habits."

"Antibiotics are difficult. Firstly trying to not prescribe them, which I am strong on, + secondly choosing the correct one to treat the problem appropriately while not increasing resistance. This article helped."

"Thank you. It certainly makes one look at the prescribing, which becomes, a habit with certain drugs, probably driven initially by advertising. I’d be sorry to see it [HS NZ] lapse…

I’ve used this drug [Ceclor] extensively as first line especially for children + I’ll review this…

I’ve been using it [Noroxin] as first line. I will revise that and use trimethoprim."