Updating and validating quality prescribing indicators for use in Australian general practice

Phuong Linh Dang, Cuu; Shean Toh, Li; Cooling, Nick; Jackson, Shane; Curtain, Colin; Thompson, Angus; Peterson, Greg

Abstract

© 2019 La Trobe University. This study aims to update and validate quality prescribing indicators (QPIs) for Australian general practice. The study comprised two phases: (1) developing preliminary potential QPIs based on the 2006 National Prescribing Service (NPS) MedicineWise indicators, published literature, international indicators and guidelines, and through qualitative focus group discussions; and (2) validating the proposed QPIs through a two-round online survey using the Delphi technique. The Delphi panel included four GPs, four pharmacists and two clinical pharmacologists. The Delphi panel rated the potential QPIs for their validity, importance and feasibility using a 1-10 Likert scale. In round one, all proposed QPIs presented as 'prescribing rules' achieved high scores regarding validity, importance and feasibility No rule was eliminated and three new rules were introduced. Rules were reworded into 'prescribing indicators' for round two, which resulted in 35 indicators being accepted and two indicators being eliminated. The final QPIs also include seven drug-drug interactions, which received high scores in round one. In conclusion, 42 QPIs were nominated for use in Australian general practice, based on their validity, importance and feasibility. If implemented, these QPIs have the potential to assist in efforts to improve the quality and safety of medicines management.

Citation

Phuong Linh Dang, C., Shean Toh, L., Cooling, N., Jackson, S., Curtain, C., Thompson, A., & Peterson, G. (2020). Updating and validating quality prescribing indicators for use in Australian general practice. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 26(1), 31-42. https://doi.org/10.1071/PY19060

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 18, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Dec 23, 2019
• Publication Date: 2020
• Deposit Date: Nov 14, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 14, 2019
• Journal: Australian Journal of Primary Health
• Print ISSN: 1448-7527
• Electronic ISSN: 1836-7399
• Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 31-42
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/PY19060
• Keywords: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health; Health Policy
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2451584
• Publisher URL: https://www.publish.csiro.au/PY/justaccepted/PY19060
• Contract Date: Nov 14, 2019