Table 3.
Use of healthcare services and productivity losses for all medications and medication groups for 2 years after new prescription
| Variable | All medications, mean n (SD) | Drug for chronic diseases, mean n (SD) | Analgesics, mean n (SD) | Penicillins, mean n (SD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Use of servicesa | ||||
| GP visit in PCC | 10.60 (9.13) | 13.04 (10.32) | 10.65 (9.20) | 11.40 (10.03) |
| Home GP visit | 0.26 (1.56) | 0.47 (2.17) | 0.21 (1.34) | 0.21 (1.35) |
| Nurse visit in PCC | 5.86 (10.34) | 8.12 (12.60) | 5.62 (10.07) | 6.17 (10.65) |
| Home nurse visit | 0.46 (4.22) | 0.87 (5.71) | 0.35 (3.67) | 0.34 (3.49) |
| Specialist consultation | 1.44 (1.88) | 1.73 (2.12) | 1.47 (1.89) | 1.52 (1.95) |
| Laboratory test | 1.54 (1.59) | 1.94 (1.69) | 1.48 (1.56) | 1.50 (1.59) |
| Nuclear medicine test | 0.01 (0.11) | 0.01 (0.13) | 0.01 (0.11) | 0.01 (0.11) |
| Diagnostic imaging test | 1.02 (1.54) | 1.10 (1.66) | 1.08 (1.59) | 1.11 (1.61) |
| Dispensed medicinesb | 10.26 (9.00) | 15.63 (8.11) | 9.13 (8.75) | 9.54 (8.80) |
|
| ||||
| Productivity losses | ||||
| Days on sick leave | 13.78 (53.64) | 16.34 (63.54) | 14.08 (53.33) | 12.02 (48.54) |
a
2 years from prescription date.
b
Refers to medication prescribed by a GP in the primary care public health system. PCC = primary care centre.