Abstract
Background The impact of a quality-circle GP prescribing improvement programme, implemented in France in 2001–2002, was assessed by a controlled study. The study involved all 27 GPs of three semi-rural areas of Brittany, France. Practice data (overall prescribing cost and markers of prescribing efficiency) were collated in an intention-to-treat analysis, using the Mann–Whitney U test. Twenty-four GPs attended the meetings regularly. The reduction in drug expenditure exceeded the cost of the programme, although variations in size effects were observed among the settings.
- Received July 16, 2006.
- Revision received September 3, 2006.
- Accepted January 4, 2007.
- © British Journal of General Practice, 2007.