Capturing prescribers' minds

The prescription plays a key role in the provision of healthcare, culminating many consultations, affecting patient well-being and committing expenditure of around 13% of the NHS budget. Ultimately, the contents of the prescription depend on the prescriber's knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, and there are many who would wish to influence these. The eighth annual Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin symposium, 'Capturing prescribers' minds', looked at ways of influencing prescriber's decisions. Here, we summarise the key points raised in the presentations and in subsequent discussion.