ABSTRACT
The second Dutch National Survey of General Practice (DNSGP-2) has combined registration data on morbidity and prescription, making it possible to unravel diagnosis-specific prescription behaviour of general practitioners (GPs). 'Patients are relieved when medication turns out to be unnecessary after a consultation with their doctor.' Dutch experts made this statement in a study on Europeans and their medicines. It puts strikingly well into words the reluctant attitude the Dutch have towards the use of medication. This chapter seeks to answer the following questions: What is the volume and type of medication GPs prescribe? What are the indications for which GPs do prescribe most? For what indications are frequently used drugs prescribed by GPs? What are the prescription rates for a series of commonly presented diseases in general practice? In 2001, Dutch GPs prescribed medication in 57% of consultations, including face-to-face consultations, telephone consultations and visits.
