[Prescription of cerebral and peripheral vasodilators in primary health care: a study in the health district of Bilbao].

OBJECTIVE

To assess cerebral and peripheral vasodilators prescriptions (uncertain or nil intrinsic value) and determine other associated values (personal, labour and medical training).

DESIGN

A descriptive study.

SETTING

General Practice. Health district of Bilbao.

PARTICIPANTS

122 general practitioners, observed between September & December 1992 (three months).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN

RESULTS

On average, each doctor filled in 95 prescriptions covering these three drugs, thus representing 2,3% of the overall expenditure. In an ANOVA, the number of pensioners and type of care provided proved to be variables most closely associated to prescriptions. The overall expenditure generated and the number of prescriptions made covering these drugs were lower in the case of primary health care teams. We would like to stress how important it is to perform prescription quality control and suggest actions to be taken for this purpose.