Benzodiazepine utilization in a family medicine residency program

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Family Medicine
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Benzodiazepine prescribing patterns are crucial for understanding medication use in primary care.
• Family medicine training programs play a key role in shaping future prescribing habits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze benzodiazepine prescribing practices among residents in a family medicine training program.
• To assess the validity of indications and duration of benzodiazepine therapy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of medication profiles from July 1975 to February 1981.
• Inclusion of demographic data and validation against the Psychopharmacological Screening Criteria Development Project.

Main Results:

• Only 1.4% of 7,802 patients received benzodiazepines; females were prescribed them more often (61%).
• Diazepam (94 prescriptions) and flurazepam (18 prescriptions) were most common. 84% of prescriptions had valid indications.
• Higher diazepam doses were used for muscle injury than anxiety; most therapies lasted less than one month.

Conclusions:

• Benzodiazepine use was infrequent in this family medicine setting.
• Prescribing largely adhered to valid indications, though documentation was lacking for some.
• Short-term use was typical for the most frequently prescribed benzodiazepines.