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Prescription-free consultation: A cross-sectional study in general practice
Amélie Richard1, Élodie Charuel1, Sébastien Cambier2
1Department of General Practice, UFR Medicine and Medical Professions, University of Clermont Auvergne, 28, place Henri-Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; Research Unit ACCePPT, Clermont Auvergne University, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; Maison de santé pluriprofessionnelle des batignolles (MSP), 63350 Joze, France.
Therapie
|August 25, 2023
Summary
In France, 24% of general practice consultations in 2021 did not result in a prescription. Acute consultations and patient expectations for medication were key factors influencing this rate.
Area of Science:
- General Practice
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Prescription-free consultations vary widely across Europe, with limited quantitative data available for France.
- Factors influencing prescription rates include product availability, clinical guidelines, and public health policies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the rate of prescription-free consultations in French general practice in 2021.
- To characterize these consultations and identify their determinants.
Main Methods:
- A quantitative observational study was conducted.
- Self-questionnaires were administered to patients in general practices in Auvergne.
Main Results:
- The rate of prescription-free consultations was 24% (95% CI [20.11-27.41]).
- Prescription-free consultations were associated with prevention, administrative issues, and medical procedures.
- Key limiting factors included patient desire for medication (OR=0.006), uncertainty about medication need (OR=0.11), and acute consultation reasons (OR=0.33).
Conclusions:
- Acute consultations significantly reduce the likelihood of prescription-free encounters.
- General practitioners may overestimate patient expectations for drug prescriptions.
- Supporting general practitioners in non-prescribing decisions and patient education is crucial for long-term impact.
Keywords:
Drug prescriptionGeneral practiceOffice visitPhysician–patient relationsPrescription-free consultationMore Related Videos
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