A study of the effect of computer feedback on polypharmacy.

Between July 1973 and February 1976, clinicians in the DMH Institutions of a midwestern state received regular, computer generated information about those of their patients who had been prescribed more than 4 psychotropic drugs during the preceding month. The effect of this feedback on prescribing habits was assessed, using information derived from monthly itemized billing record returns. The results showed that, while a highly significant reduction in polypharmacy did take place, it antedated the circulation of the specific feedback, coinciding instead with the discussions between the computer project staff and institution superintendents at the planning stage of the project.