Use of prescription drugs and investigations by doctors in primary care settings in Oman and the UK

Abstract EN

Objectives: This audit aimed to investigate the use of prescription drugs and investigations by trainee doctors in primary care settings in Oman and the UK.

Methods: This audit took place between February and April 2015.

The medical records of consecutive patients seen by five family medicine trainee doctors at a primary care setting in Oman were retrospectively reviewed.

These data were compared to those gathered from two trainees at a general practice clinic in the UK as well as an experienced general practitioner (GP) who had practiced in both countries.

Results: The average number of items prescribed per patient was 1.19, 0.43 and 0.24 and the rate of investigations was 20%, 21% and 11% for Omani trainees, UK trainees and the GP, respectively.

Conclusion: This audit suggests that family medicine trainees in Oman prescribe almost three times as many drugs as trainees in the UK.

The findings also point towards an over-investigation of the relatively young Omani patient population.-