How do home physicians evaluate prescriptions and what prescribing behaviors do they take ？ : a qualitative study

Abstract

A qualitative inductive study using individual interviews was conducted to clarify the perspectives from which home physicians evaluate prescriptions for home care patients and how they decide prescription. A semi-structured individual interview was conducted with 17 physicians engaged in home medical care. We found that home physicians made prescribing decisions based on a variety of factors ; the physical effects of drugs, the patient's prognosis and quality of life, their relationship with the patient and family, and their interactions with various professions. Visualization of the prescription changing process and a common understanding of prescribing behavior among healthcare professionals are expected to improve the quality of prescribing in-home medical care.