Feedback for reducing overuse of pathology test requesting by Australian general practitioners

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: General practitioner test ordering; Public Health - Health service research

• Registration Number: ACTRN12622000566730
• Lead Sponsor: Australian Government Department of Health

Brief Summary

Not available

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2022-04-13
• Study Completion: 2023-08-12
• Last Update Posted: 22 January 2024

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 5964

Inclusion Criteria

General practitioners (GPs) practising in Australia, who are in the top 10% of GP referrers overall for 10 targeted combinations of pathology tests and in the top 10% of referrers for at least 2 individual test combinations. Targeted combinations of pathology tests are:
1. Iron studies (66596), TSH (66716) and Vitamin D (66833);
2. Iron studies (66596), Vitamin D (66833) and Vitamin B12 (66838/66839);
3. Iron studies (66596), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) (66716) and Vitamin B12 (66838/66839);
4. Iron studies (66596), Thyroid Function Tests (TFT) (66719) and Vitamin B12 (66838/66839);
5. Iron studies (66596), TFT (66719) and Vitamin D (66833);
6. TSH (66716) and Vitamin D (66833) and Vitamin B12 (66838/66839);
7. Iron studies (66596) and Vitamin D (66833);
8. Iron studies (66596) and Vitamin B12 (66838/66839);
9. Iron studies (66596) and TFT (66719);
10. TSH (66716) and Vitamin D (66833).
Only pathology tests requests that lead to a service being rendered by a pathologist and for which a Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) claim is made are in scope.

Exclusion Criteria

1.GPs with <1000 Category 1 services between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020, and/or <1000 Category 1 services between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021.
2.GPs who did not make any in-scope pathology test requests within the nominated 24-month period (1 July 2019 to 30 June 2021).
3.GPs who participated in user testing of the intervention.
4.GPs who are currently or have been involved in a Department of Health compliance activity commencing on or after 1 May 2021.
5.GPs with a hospital as their primary practice address.
6.GPs with a primary practice address in remote or very remote geographical areas (MM6-7).

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified