Benzodiazepinliknende hypnotika - holdninger og forskrivningspraksis blant allmennleger
Engelsk titel: Benzodiazepine-like hypnotics - attitudes and prescription practice among general practioners
Läs online
Författare:
Bachmann CS
;
Berg EA
;
Spigset O
;
Slördal L
Email: lars.slordal@ntnu.no
Språk: Nor
Antal referenser: 18
Dokumenttyp:
Artikel
UI-nummer: 08011232
Sammanfattning
BACKGROUND : The large increase in sales of the benzodiazepine-like hypnotics (z-hypnotics) zopiclone and zolpidem over the last decade prompted an investigation into Norwegian general practitioners' prescription habits, knowledge of and attitudes to these drugs.
MATERIAL AND METHODS : A questionnaire was distributed to all 928 registered GPs in six Norwegian counties. The physicians were asked to assess statements, patient vignettes and drug preferences with regard to z-hypnotic and benzodiazepine prescription practice. The responders were anonymized and grouped with respect to gender, county, years of professional experience, knowledge and attitudes.
RESULTS : A total of 321 (36%) of the GPs responded. Among the respondents, physicians with adequate knowledge about clinical use of and restrictive prescription attitudes towards z-hypnotics and benzodiazepines prescribed these drugs with a lower frequency. Prescription rates did not vary as a function of sex, geographical localization, work experience or knowledge about drug pharmacodynamics. A total of 56% of the respondents preferred zopiclone to zolpidem, whereas 8% preferred zolpidem. Many of the factors, which were used to justify the preferences, were irrelevant or erroneous.
INTERPRETATION : The study revealed a lack of factual knowledge about these drugs, and may suggest that a rational prescription practice is restrictive.