Effects of routine individual feedback over nine years on general practitioners' requests for tests: Table 1

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Abstract
Feedback to general practitioners about the diagnostic tests they request reduces the number of requests.1 This effect disappears, however, soon after feedback is stopped.2 Most studies have been short, so data on the long term effects of feedback are lacking.3 The Diagnostic Coordinating Centre Maastricht has provided feedback continuously since 1985, resulting in a more rational use of tests and fewer requests.4 5 We report the effects of nine years of feedback. We also investigated its effects on requests for tests that were not advised but had a recommended alternative. We expected the effects to be greatest for such requests. We thought that if general practitioners had a choice of alternative tests they might be more willing to follow recommendations. The diagnostic coordinating centre coordinates all requests from the 85 general practitioners in the Maastricht region. Written …