PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Sheldon, M. G. TI - Self-audit of prescribing habits and clinical care in general practice DP - 1979 Dec 01 TA - The Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners PG - 703--711 VI - 29 IP - 209 4099 - http://bjgp.org/content/29/209/703.short 4100 - http://bjgp.org/content/29/209/703.full SO - J R Coll Gen Pract1979 Dec 01; 29 AB - General practitioners' prescribing habits were studied using encounter forms during a period of three years. Analysis of the first year's forms revealed examples of inappropriate prescribing, so an audit was undertaken on the treatment of fungal skin infections and coughs and colds in children. Data collection was continued for a further year to measure any changes in prescribing. Analysis after audit showed that more appropriate prescribing had reduced the number of drugs prescribed as well as the number of repeat consultations needed before resolution of the problem. These findings suggest that the continuous use of encounter forms can accurately reveal the prescribing habits of general practitioners. Self-audit can then be performed on a continuing basis with little disruption of the general practitioner's normal routine.