Controlling overservicing by physicians: review of office practices in Manitoba.

The Manitoba Medical Review Committee is a peer review body that monitors the patterns of practice of the province's 1800 physicians in order to prevent and control overservicing. This study examined the effectiveness of the committee in reducing the unnecessary use of complete examinations, regional examinations, special calls, nursing-home visits and diagnostic testing. In 1983-84 the practice patterns of 44 physicians were reviewed because of the higher than average volumes of services. By the end of 1987-88 the number of services per 100 patients dropped. In most cases the decrease was not offset by increases in other services or in the number of patients. The estimated savings resulting from the utilization review amounted to more than $2 million during the 4-year period.