Effect of a P & T committee newsletter on anti-infective prescribing habits.

P & T newsletters are commonly employed as a way in which to educate the medical staff. However, studies suggest that a newsletter is an ineffective method of education. This study describes the effects of a newsletter and direct in-service education on altering prescribing habits of physicians in a university-based teaching hospital. The newsletter and in-service recommended that physicians switch from a commonly used anti-infective to a more cost-effective alternative that had recently been added to the formulary. Prescribing patterns were altered and sustained for at least 3 months. The newsletter was at least as effective as direct in-service education.