Changes in pathology ordering by GPs in Australia 1998 to 2001

This report is a secondary analysis of data from the first three years of the BEACH (Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health) program, April 1998-March 2001. This report is based on 98,400 encounter records from 984 GPs in 1998-1999, 104,700 from 1,047 GPs in 1999-00, and 99,900 from 999 GPs in 2000-01. It describes changes in the rates and patterns of pathology test ordering by GPs and investigates the extent to which these changes are related to changes in the characteristics of the GP population, the morbidity under management, other management behaviour and the length of consultation.

ISSN 1442 3022; ISBN 978 1 74024 310 0; Cat. no. GEP 13; 90pp.; OUT OF PRINT