Abstract:
Aims To identify sources New Zealand (NZ) general practitioners (GPs) use to inform themselves about prescribing issues; how they keep their informa-tion up-to-date, and factors influencing prescribing decisions. Methods Computer-assisted telephone interviews of 99 randomly-selected NZ GPs in 2004. Results Seventy-two per cent response rate. MIMS/New Ethicals was the most com-monly used resource but is reported to be limited in the information it pro-vides. There was no single source of prescribing information identified by this group of NZ GPs. Despite frequent use of computers in general practice, use of prescribing websites was low. Barriers to Internet use for prescribing were lack of: time; awareness; fast access; and computer literacy. Rapidly-accessed resources are reported to be more likely to be used in clinical decision-mak-ing than higher quality but slower access ones. Costs to patients and direct-to- consumer advertising were identified as influences on prescribing. Implications Useful Internet sites allow for easy electronic searching and easily digestible summarised information in a user-friendly format. A one-stop Internet re-source with fast access which is up-to-date, comprehensive and NZ-orien-tated with respect to drug availability and funding would maintain quality reliable information. NZ GPs are not currently maximising the potential of Internet-based medication prescribing decision support.