The implementation of academic detailing and its effectiveness on appropriate prescribing of pain relief medication: a real-world cluster randomized trial in Belgian general practices

BACKGROUND: In Belgium, the debate about the effect of the national academic detailing service (ADS) on prescribing quality in general practice is ongoing. In order to evaluate both the implementation strategies of the ADS and its effectiveness on appropriate prescribing of pain relief medication, we conducted a real-world cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT). METHODS: In a pragmatic cRCT, all Belgian general practices previously visited by Farmaka were assessed for eligibility and randomized. Only practices randomized to the intervention group were invited for an academic detailing visit on appropriate prescribing of pain relief medication. GPs were unaware of the study, ensuring the production of real-world evidence but were given the option to opt out from the analysis. An objective outcome assessment was obtained using routinely collected reimbursement data. Primary outcomes were the proportion of patients reimbursed for an analgesic or NSAID, the defined daily dose of paracetamol per patient per month, the proportion of patients reimbursed for a recommended NSAID among those reimbursed for any NSAID and the proportion of patients reimbursed for both an NSAID and a proton pump inhibitor among those reimbursed for an NSAID. The impact of practice, GP and academic detailer characteristics were also assessed. RESULTS: Three thousand five hundred twenty-nine general practices (4530 GPs) were eligible and randomized. One thousand six hundred ninety-eight practices (2171 GPs) in the intervention group and one thousand seven hundred three (2163 GPs) in the control group were included in the analysis. The intervention had a significant impact on the proportion of patients reimbursed for a recommended NSAID among those reimbursed for any NSAID (increase in odds (95% CI): 19% (10–29%)). A clear impact on other outcomes could not be detected. Additionally, we showed that the characteristics of the academic detailers might impact the effectiveness of the visit. CONCLUSIONS: National implementation of academic detailing in Belgian general practices provided by Farmaka significantly improved the proportion of recommended NSAIDs prescribed by GPs, but not other outcomes related to appropriate prescribing of pain relief medication. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01761864. Registered 2 January 2013. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13012-017-0703-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.