Complications and side effects: a problem in general practice?

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Conradi, Marc^; | Groenier, Klaas | Hutten, Jack | Schuling, Jan | Tijmstra, Tjeerd | Meyboom-de Jong, Betty

Affiliations: Department af General Practice, University af Groningen, The Netherlands | Dutch Institute far Healthcare Research (Nivel), Utrecht, The Netherlands | Department af Health Sciences, University af Groningen, The Netherlands

Note: [] Corresponding author. Address: Postbox 107, 9765 AA Paterswolde, The Netherlands.

Abstract: On basis of secondary analysis of data obtained from the ‘Dutch National Survey of Morbidity and Intervention in General Practice’, we tried to gain insight into the nature and extent of iatrogenic illnesses in general practice. In this registration project 386,000 contacts of patients with 161 GP's have been recorded, using the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC). We confined ourselves to ‘side effects of medication’ and ‘complications of medical treatment’. It appears that in two percent of all contacts the GP has made one of these two diagnoses, or has considered these. On average, the patients concerned suffered twice more often serious invalidating or danger of life. Herewith these two groups of iatrogenic harm constitute an important problem in general practice.

DOI: 10.3233/JRS-1996-8305

Journal: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 225-230, 1996