Investigating physicians’ views on non-formulary prescribing: a qualitative study using the theoretical domains framework
Background
Well-designed and well-maintained drug formularies serve as a reliable resource to guide prescribing decisions; they are associated with improved medicine safety and increased efficiency, while also serving as a cost-effective tool to help manage and predict medicine expenditure. Multiple studies have investigated the inappropriate prescribing of non-formulary drugs (NFDs) with statistics indicating that up to 70% of NFD usage being inappropriate or not following the ascribed NFD policies.
Aim
To explore physicians’ views and influences on their prescribing of non-formulary drugs.
Method
Data collection and analysis were underpinned using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted within Hamad Medical Corporation, the main provider of secondary and tertiary healthcare in Qatar, with physicians who had submitted a NFD request in the preceding 12 months.
Results
Three overarching themes were identified: providing evidence-based care for individual patients; influences of others; and formulary management issues. Subthemes were mapped to specific TDF domains: environmental context and resources; social influences; professional role and identity; beliefs about consequences; goals; intentions.
Conclusion
The behavioral influences identified in this study can be mapped to behavior change strategies facilitating the development of an intervention to promote appropriate prescribing of NFDs with implications for medicine safety and healthcare efficiency.
Other Information
Published in: International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
See article on publisher's website: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11096-023-01616-7
Funding
Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.
History
Language
- English
Publisher
Springer NaturePublication Year
- 2023
License statement
This Item is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.Institution affiliated with
- Qatar University
- College of Pharmacy - QU HEALTH
- Hamad Medical Corporation
- Women's Wellness and Research Center - HMC