Publications
Publications
- 2024
- Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings
Effects of a Real-Time Information-Based Intervention on Physician Prescribing Behavior
By: Olivia Zhao and Anna D Sinaiko
Abstract
High out-of-pocket (OOP) prices for prescription drugs create financial difficulties for patients, and cost-related underuse of medications can adversely patient health. Simultaneously, many physicians report a willingness to address affordability concerns with patients, but often do not have access to accurate estimates of OOP prices for a specific patient and medication. One proposed solution to help physicians prescribe in a more cost-conscious manner is a physician-targeted real-time price transparency intervention (called a real-time benefit tool, or RTBT) that displays patient-specific OOP price estimates at the time of prescribing. We study the implementation of an RTBT at a large health system to explore how physician prescribing behavior for diabetes medications changed after implementation. We find that the tool appeared to reinforce existing physician prescribing patterns, but those with more clinical experience with diabetes medication orders or more interactions with the tool did change their prescribing patterns. This and future evidence on this relatively new technology should help inform the future design and implementation of RTBTs.
Keywords
Price; Health Care and Treatment; Communication Technology; Technology Adoption; Customer Focus and Relationships; Health Industry
Citation
Zhao, Olivia, and Anna D Sinaiko. "Effects of a Real-Time Information-Based Intervention on Physician Prescribing Behavior." Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings 2024, no. 1 (2024).