Repeat prescribing processes in primary care: a qualitative study

Objective To investigate the characteristics, local agreements and changes regarding repeat prescribing processes in primary health care in Finland. Setting Twenty‐eight municipal health centres nationwide. Method Twenty‐eight physicians and 28 medical receptionists were given semi‐structured telephone interviews about repeat prescribing practices. The repeat prescribing process of each health centre was displayed as a flow chart and the processes were classified according to the quality of the practical flow and the medication review. Key findings There are various ways of carrying out repeat prescribing in different health centres. In some centres, a review of the medications is recognised as part of the repeat prescribing process, but in others there is no systematic review of the patients' medication. Repeat prescribing is often performed in a busy atmosphere. Repeat prescribing systems have evolved over time without proper management, and few local guidelines exist. Conclusions There is a need to reorganise the repeat prescribing systems in primary health care. A regular review of long‐term medications, in particular, needs to become a part of the repeat prescribing process. There is a need for both local and national guidelines.