Family Practice Vol. 16, No. 3, 255-261
© Oxford University Press 1999
GPs' perceptions of patient influence on prescribing
Department of General Practice, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT,
a Department of Accounting and Finance, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK and
b Department of General Practice, Distillery House, University College Cork, Ireland.
Dr FA Stevenson, Department of General Practice and Primary Care, GKT Medical School, 5 Lambeth Walk, London SE11 6SP, UK.
Background. Controlling prescribing costs is an issue of concern to many GPs.
Objective and methods. This paper is based on interviews with 21 GPs in which they were asked about influences on prescribing budgets.
Results. The results presented relate specifically to GPs' perceptions of the influence of patients on prescribing. Perceptions of patient demand were described both in terms of a general demand and demand by patients with specific health beliefs or particular social characteristics. Generally, GPs reported that decisions to prescribe were informed by a concern to maintain a good relationship with their patients, and not to risk the relationship by not prescribing when they believed a prescription was expected.
Conclusions. Although information was available about whether practices had a ‘high' or ‘low' budget, and whether they were under- or overspent, there did not appear to be any relationship between GPs' beliefs that patient expectations affected their prescribing and whether they were under or over budget. This paper suggests that patient demand for prescriptions may not only be overestimated but also perpetuated by GPs' belief in its existence and a wish to maintain a good doctor–patient relationship.
Keywords. General practice, patient demand, physician–patient relations, prescribing influences, prescription drugs.
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