The 100 Prescriptions study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Retrospective Review of Prescriptions Issued by GPs in Training
IRAS ID
127171
Contact name
Tony Avery
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Research summary
Funded by the General Medical Council (GMC), we have recently completed the largest and most comprehensive study to date on the prevalence, nature and causes of prescribing errors in general practices. One of the problems identified in the study was a lack of support for GPs in training to help them develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for safe and effective prescribing.
Since completing our GMC-funded study we have undertaken work with the Curriculum Group of the Royal College of General Practitioners to identify priorities for addressing the gaps in GP training. Also, with Flexibility and Sustainability Funding from NHS Nottingham City, we have also undertaken focus groups with GPs in training (GP registrars) to identify the approaches that are most likely to help them develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for safe and effective prescribing. One of the most promising potential interventions identified from this work is to conduct a pharmacist led review of the prescribing of GP registrars and to give individual feedback so that registrars can learn from, and address, any problems identified.We now have funding to undertake a pilot study to assess the feasibility and value of undertaking a clinical pharmacist-led review of 100 prescriptions issued by GP registrars. The project will also provide protected time for developing a larger scale research grant application to assess the effectiveness of this approach.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/EM/0430
Date of REC Opinion
16 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion