|
KMID : 0191120120270020120
|
|
Journal of Korean Medical Science
2012 Volume.27 No. 2 p.120 ~ p.127
|
|
|
Factors Affecting the Prescribing Patterns of Antibiotics and Injections
|
|
Choi Kyung-Hyun
Park Sang-Min
Lee Ju-Hyun
Kwon Soon-Man
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
|
There are serious problems concerning the inadequate prescription of antibiotics and overuse of injections in primary care. However, the determinants of prescription patterns in Korea are not well-documented. To examine the area characteristics affecting the prescription of antibiotics and injections in primary care practices in the treatment of respiratory tract infections (RTIs), a nationwide cross-sectional study was performed in all 250 administrative districts of Korea. The outcome was modeled as a binary variable: over-prescription or not compared with the nation-wide average. Over-prescription of antibiotics was associated with the ratio of specialists to general physicians and over-prescription in previous years in the area (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-14.8; and aOR, 12.0; 95% CI 5.5-25.9, respectively). Over-use of injections was associated with younger population, urban living and the number of hospital beds in the area (aOR, 0.2; 95% CI 0.1-0.4; aOR, 0.3; 95% CI 0.1-0.8; and aOR, 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9; respectively). There were differences in the prescribing patterns in different districts; prescription patterns were affected more by supply factors than by demand factors. Highly competitive medical environment associated with supply factors is a significant determinant of prescription patterns in Korea.
|
|
|
KEYWORD
|
|
|
Primary Care, Antibiotics, Injections, Prescription Pattern
|
|
|
FullTexts / Linksout information
|
|
|
|
|
Listed journal information
|
|
    
|
|