Table 2 Outcome measures in study of the effect of a pedagogic intervention towards groups of Norwegian GPs, concerning inappropriate prescription patterns in elderly patients ≥ 70 years

Baseline prescription patterns collected during one year:

   • Proportion of inappropriate prescriptions for elderly patients ≥ 70 years

Change (%) in prescription patterns compared to baseline in elderly patients ≥ 70 years, regarding the following drugs and combination of drugs, one year after the initiation of a tailored pedagogic intervention:

   • Tricyclic antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Doxepin, Trimipramine)

   • 1^st generation antihistamines (Dexchlorphenamine, Promethazine, Alimemazine, Hydroxycin)

   • 1^st generation low potency antipsychotics (Clorpromazine, Chlorprotixene, Levoprometazine, Prochlorperazine)

   • Long acting benzodiazepines (Nitrazepam, Flunitrazepam)

   • The muscle relaxant Carisoprodol

   • Strong analgesics poorly tolerated by the elderly (Propoxyphene, Pethidine, opioids with spasmolytics)

   • Theophylline per os

   • Beta blocking agents combined with unselective calcium channel blockers (Verapamil, Diltiazem)

   • NSAIDs combined with Warfarin

   • NSAIDs or Cox2-inhibitor combined with ACE-inhibitor or A2-blocker

   • NSAIDs combined with SSRI

   • The difference in "total prescription change score" between the intervention group and the control group

Prescription logistic issues:

   • Agreement between drugs listed as "regular" in the physicians' electronic medical record (EPR) systems and dispensed drugs, registered in the Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD)

   • Agreement between prescribed and dispensed drugs, registered in the Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD)

Methodological issues:

   • Development of rational prescription patterns and related quality indicators (QIs) for elderly out-patients ≥ 70 years

   • Feasibility evaluation of a large cluster randomized educational intervention study in general practice settings