Pertinence des prescriptions médicamenteuses, expérience française

Appropriateness of care, applied to medical prescription, is a fast-growing professional practice evaluation method, within a context of control spending and quality improvement. A literature review related to the last ten years found 38 publications, including 19 original studies. Results showed that only few studies were published, and that methodologies were not standardized. Development of pedagogical data tools is essential to increase doctor's awareness. Analysis of causes of inappropriateness has to be conducted, in order to plan improvement actions. A second evaluation is necessary to assess the impact of appropriateness review on professional practices.