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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Care | Research article

Influencing factors of physicians’ prescription behavior in selecting essential medicines: a cross-sectional survey in Chinese county hospitals

Authors: Xin Zhou, Xueting Zhang, Linsheng Yang, Xu Hu, Aizong Shen, Xiaohui Huang, Xuefeng Xie

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

To explore the key factors affecting prescription practices of essential medicines in Chinese county hospital. National essential medicine policy (NEMP) plays important roles in health care system, especially in developing countries. As a fundamental component in the Chinese health system reform, NEMP was implemented in primary health care institutions during the first stage of reform. As it is rolled out, priority usage and zero-mark-up policy of essential medicines are to be applied in every government-run healthcare institution. However, the intention and influence factors of physicians on priority selecting essential medicine remains unclear.

Methods

Based on the theory of planned behavior, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted to analyze physicians’ intention, attitude, subjective norms (SNs) and perceived behavioral control (PBC) on prescrictions and their actual behavior on selection of essential medicines.

Results

Two hundred eighty-two physicians participated in the structural questionnaire interview. The final structural equation model reflected influencing factors affecting physicians’ prescribing behavior (χ2/df = 1.32, GFI = 0.99, IFI = 0.99). Structural equation model analysis showed that attitude, other influencers and institutional environment, and PBC significantly affected behavioral intention. However, the control extent of cognition behavior of physicians prescribing had no significant positive effect on the priority usage of essential medicines.

Conclusion

Investigation results demonstrate physicians are unaware of NEMP design and implementation plans. To help enhance rational use of essential medicines we suggest educating physicians on the value of NEMP, and integrating the drug shortage report into the essential medicine (EM) bidding system seamless communication with pharmaceutical manufacturers’ credit information system.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Influencing factors of physicians’ prescription behavior in selecting essential medicines: a cross-sectional survey in Chinese county hospitals
Authors
Xin Zhou
Xueting Zhang
Linsheng Yang
Xu Hu
Aizong Shen
Xiaohui Huang
Xuefeng Xie
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Care
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4831-5

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