Effectiveness of Academic Detailing to Optimize Medication Prescribing Behaviour of Family Physicians

Authors

  • Harpreet K Chhina Arthritis Research Centre of Canada Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC
  • Vidula M Bhole Arthritis Research Centre of Canada Vancouver, BC, Canada; Epi Solutions Consultancy Services, Thane, India;
  • Charles Goldsmith Arthritis Research Centre of Canada Vancouver, BC, Canada; Faculty of Health Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby , BC Canada;
  • Wendy Hall School of Nursing, University of British Columbia
  • Janusz Kaczorowski Department of Family and Emergency Medicine and CRCHUM, University of Montreal
  • Diane Lacaille Arthritis Research Centre of Canada Vancouver, BC, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18433/J3KK6C

Abstract

PURPOSE. To synthesize current knowledge about the effectiveness and the magnitude of the effect, of Academic Detailing (AD), as a stand-alone intervention, at modifying drug prescription behavior of Family Physicians (FPs) in primary care settings. METHODS. A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Web of Science databases of all English language articles between January 1983 and July 2010 was conducted. We hand-searched the bibliographies of articles retrieved from the electronic search to identify additional studies. Inclusion criteria were: full-length articles describing original research; randomized controlled trial (RCT), or observational study design with a control group; studies of AD delivered to FPs; AD as a stand-alone intervention; drug prescription as the target behavior. Data extraction was done independently by two reviewers. Outcomes evaluated were: the difference in relative change in prescription rate between the intervention and control groups; the difference in absolute change in prescription rate between the intervention and control groups; and effect size, calculated as the standardized mean difference. RESULTS. 11 RCTs and 4 observational studies were included. Five RCTS described results showing effectiveness, while 2 RCTs reported a positive effect on some of the target drugs. Two observational studies found AD to be effective, while 2 did not. The median difference in relative change among the studies reviewed was 21% (interquartile range 43.75%) for RCTs, and 9% (interquartile range 8.5%) for observational studies. The median effect size among the studies reviewed was - 0.09 (interquartile range 2.73). Conclusion. This systematic review demonstrates that AD can be effective at optimizing prescription of medications by FPs. Although variable, the magnitude of the effect is moderate in the majority of studies. This systematic review also provides evidence supportive of  the use of AD as a strategy to promote evidence based prescription of medications or incorporation of clinical guidelines into clinical practice.

 

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Published

2013-09-12

How to Cite

Chhina, H. K., Bhole, V. M., Goldsmith, C., Hall, W., Kaczorowski, J., & Lacaille, D. (2013). Effectiveness of Academic Detailing to Optimize Medication Prescribing Behaviour of Family Physicians. Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16(4), 511–529. https://doi.org/10.18433/J3KK6C

Issue

Section

Review Articles