The Impact of Kela’s Feedback on Physicians’ Prescribing Practices: Substudy III, Year 2019
Kela’s prescription feedback is based on an annually selected theme and targets specific physicians and their prescribing practices. The feedback letter includes an informational component in the form of an article written by an expert in the field of the selected theme. The purpose is to draw a physician’s attention to their prescribing practices and possibly change them towards more rational prescribing.
In 2019, the theme of the feedback was the use of strong opioids in outpatient care. The feedback letter was sent to physicians and dentists who prescribed oxycodone or fentanyl to patients with illnesses other than cancer and who purchased medicines for a minimum period of three months in 2018. Half of the physicians were randomly selected to receive the letter in May 2019 and the other half in December 2019.
The goal of this research project is to study the effects of the 2019 feedback letter on the patients’ health outcomes and the prescribing of strong opioids by physician group. In addition, we study the impact of the letter among physicians who have received a feedback letter several times compared to those who have received it only once. Physicians who received the feedback letter in May and December comprise the sample group and control group, respectively. The average number of prescriptions in the two groups are then compared. Econometric methods suitable for randomised trials are applied in the study.
Researcher
- Iiro Ahomäki, Leading Researcher
Project Implementation Period
1.3.2021–30.6.2023
