Prescription in Dutch general practice.

The second Dutch National Survey of General Practice (DNSGP-2) has combined registration data on morbidity and prescription, making it possible to unravel diagnosis-specific prescription behaviour of general practitioners(GPs). Prescription rates for different disorders vary considerably, especially in first consultations. Dutch GPs are known for being recultant to prescribe medication, compared to doctors in other European countries. This is confirmed by lower prescription rates in first consultations compared to follow-up consultations. Moreover, for unspecified symptoms such as 'general disorders', prescription rates are considerably lower than for other disorders. But in the case of prescribing for some specific disorders, such as sleeping disorders, GPs so not comply with the guideline of the Dutch College of GPs. Although this guideline advises preferably not to prescribe medication, GPs do so in 74% of first consultations and 96% of follow-up consultations. (aut. ref.)