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Prescribing psychotropic drugs for children
The Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
|January 1, 1975
Summary
Psychotropic drug prescribing in Scottish general practice revealed significant variations among doctors, with one physician accounting for a third of all prescriptions issued to adults and children in 1971. This highlights potential over-prescribing and the value of self-audit.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- General Practice
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Psychotropic medication use in children and adults is a significant aspect of general practice.
- Understanding prescribing patterns is crucial for appropriate patient care and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze psychotropic drug prescribing patterns in a Scottish general practice.
- To identify variations in prescribing habits among five general practitioners.
- To assess the types and indications of psychotropic drugs prescribed to children and adults.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of psychotropic drug prescriptions over a one-year period (1971).
- Study encompassed a general practice with five doctors and 8,300 patients.
- Patient population included one-third aged 12 years or less.
Main Results:
- A total of 2,919 prescriptions were issued: 336 for 172 children and 2,583 for adults.
- Sedatives (43%), tranquilizers (41%), and hypnotics (17%) were the main drug classes.
- One doctor accounted for approximately one-third of all prescribed psychotropic medications.
- Common indications included behavioral disorders and enuresis in children.
Conclusions:
- Significant variability in psychotropic prescribing exists among general practitioners.
- The study identified a potential for over-prescribing by certain practitioners.
- Comparative analysis of prescribing data can facilitate self-audit and promote more judicious drug use.