Prescription patterns of anxiolytics in remote consultation versus in-person consultation: a cross-sectional study in French general practice
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Teleconsultation is a new mode of medical consultation in France, which is poorly evaluated, and anxiolytics are among the drug classes at risk of over-medication. Aim To analyse the prescription patterns of anxiolytics in remote consultation (RC) versus in-person consultation (IPC) in general practice. Design & setting This is a retrospective cross-sectional study in French general practice in 2021. Method Consultations at volunteer general practice offices were analysed. The mode of consultation was extracted. For each consultation with an anxiolytic prescription, the prescribed daily dose (PDD), the age, sex, initiation or renewal of treatments, and the length time before the next consultation were recorded. χ 2 was performed to compare the correlation between the mode of consultation and the drug prescription. Then, for consultation with anxiolytic prescription, multivariate models were conducted to analyse the PDD and the average time interval before the next consultation adjusted for consultation characteristics. Results A total of 46 880 consultations were included from 11 GPs. The rate of consultations with anxiolytic prescriptions was identical in RC and IPC, but the PDD was higher by 6.17 in RC compared to IPC (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.21 to 12.12; P = 0.04). The average time interval before the next consultation was identical in RC and IPC. Conclusion The rate of consultations with anxiolytic prescriptions is identical in RC and IPC, but the prescribed doses are higher in RC. Given the adverse effects of these treatments, GPs should reflect on their prescriptions to avoid over-medication.
Source: BJGP Open
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,226
OpenAlex ID: W4408468476