Page 18 - Management Theory 2023-2024 Edition

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4. Prescribing Behavior of Healthcare Providers

It is very important to find out the prescribing behavior of practitioners since there is substantial evidence that
prescription drugs are often used inappropriately. Prescribing errors are classified into two major categories:

1. Error of Commission: It includes those errors which are incorrectly written.

2. Error of Omission: It includes those errors in which the prescriber fails to specify a required element in the
prescription (e.g. missing strength or dosage form). These errors can cause many problem for patients, ranging
from decreased quality of life to unnecessary healthcare costs burden. Therefore, it is important to find out why
practitioners prescribe in a certain fashion and how prescribing errors occur. To better understand prescribing
errors and prescribing habits of practitioners, we can study a few models. These models will give us a better and
clearer picture.

There are three different types of models that may help in studying the prescribing pattern of physicians:

1. Demographic and practice variables associated with prescribing
2. Psychosocial dynamics related to prescribing
3. Cognitive model of prescribing

1. Demographic and practice variables associated with prescribing:

Factors that affect prescribing decisions under demographic and practice variables model:

1. Physician’s education
2. Physician’s age
3. Physician’s speciality
4. Physician’s relationship with colleagues
5. Patient’s gender
6. Patient’s age
7. Patient’s ethnicity

For example, the heart specialist-physician may have good knowledge about cardiac-related drugs, but less
knowledge about psychiatric drugs when prescribing to a depressed patient.

2. Psychosocial dynamics related to prescribing model:

Psychosocial factors that affect physician’s prescribing:

1. Prescription is a symbol of power and authority, and only practitioners have such power and authority
to provide drugs.

2. Prescription is the way for physicians to express concern for patients.

3. Prescription is a powerful tool to end lengthy discussions and the patient’s visit.

4. Prescription affirms that the patient is really ill.
3. Cognitive model of prescribing:

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