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Best Practice Survey Results

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Summary of Survey Results

In November 2009 bpacnz surveyed 6700 general practitioners, practice nurses and pharmacists who receive bpacnz material. The purpose of this survey was to seek opinions about the volume, frequency and usefulness of bpacnz publications. Over 2000 people responded and their opinions are set out and summarised in this document.

Volume of material about right

It is good to know that 82% of respondents think that we should have no change to the current volume and frequency of material. Smaller publications, more often were favoured by 11% and larger publications less often favoured by 8%.

15% were leaning towards “too much” and only 3% thought it was nearing “too little.”

Our material is trusted...

Out of a score of 1 to 5 (where 5 is very high), bpacnz resources received an average of 4.5 for quality and 4.2 for trustworthiness.

...and found useful

On average, Best Practice Journal was rated 4.5 out of 5 for usefulness and Best Tests 4.2 out of 5.

GPs rated both personalised reports and clinical audits an average of 3.8 out of 5 for usefulness. Some commented on the frustration of the data not appearing to accurately reflect their clinical practice. We would like to improve on this and will be investigating ways in which we can present data even more usefully.

CME quizzes were rated an average of 3.9 out of 5 and patient information 4.0.

Why are our publications read?

The overwhelming majority of respondents read bpacnz publications to keep their medical knowledge up to date (98%) and for continuing professional development (91%).

No barriers to reading bpacnz publications for most

Most respondents do not have any barriers to reading bpac material. Of those who cited barriers, finding time to read the publications was the most common.

Wish list

We received some great suggestions for products or services that bpac may consider providing in the future, including:

Seminars, CDs, podcasts, electronic newsletters, online peer support group, software for adverse reaction reporting, audit of professional standards, New Zealand formulary, pharmacist and nurse versions of BPJ, complementary medicine section, case scenarios, downloadable patient resources, query service for medical questions.

Survey respondents representative of General Practice

Of the 6704 surveys bpacnz sent out to general practitioners, practice nurses and pharmacists, 2041 responses were received. Although the survey was anonymous only 105 respondents chose not to provide their names and addresses.

Table 1: Response rate by respondent type
  Number received
Number sent % received
GP 1216 3938 30.9%
Nurse 507 1693 29.9%
Pharmacist 213 1073 19.9%
Unknown 105    
Total 2041 6704 30.4%

Figure 1: Comparison of prescription volumes between survey respondents and non-respondents
  A comparison of prescription volumes between survey respondents and non-respondents showed a similar pattern. This suggests the respondents are representative of New Zealand GPs in terms of prescribing behaviour.  

Figure 2: Geographical distribution of GPs survey response rate.
The geographic distribution of GPs who responded to the survey reflects the national geographic distribution of all GPs  
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