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Computer-focused modification of physician prescribing behavior
Proceedings. Symposium on Computer Applications in Medical Care
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Targeted interventions using hospital information system data successfully altered physician prescribing patterns. This approach rationalized drug use, effectively reducing pharmaceutical costs for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Hospital information systems generate vast amounts of prescribing data.
- Understanding physician prescribing patterns is crucial for cost containment.
- Previous methods for influencing prescribing behavior have had variable success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of targeted interventions in modifying physician prescribing patterns.
- To assess the impact of these interventions on pharmaceutical costs.
- To explore the utility of microcomputer database programs in analyzing hospital information system data.
Main Methods:
- Downloaded prescribing data from a MUMPS-based hospital information system.
- Designed and implemented focused interventions targeting physicians, patients, clinics, and specific drugs.
- Analyzed changes in prescribing patterns and associated pharmaceutical costs.
Main Results:
- Targeted interventions significantly altered physician prescribing patterns.
- Rationalization of prescribing led to a demonstrable reduction in pharmaceutical costs.
- Microcomputer database programs proved useful for data manipulation and analysis.
Conclusions:
- Data-driven, targeted interventions are effective in optimizing physician prescribing.
- Hospital information systems provide valuable data for cost-saving initiatives in healthcare.
- Leveraging technology can enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of pharmaceutical management.