Dataset Information

Low-value practices in primary care: a cross-sectional study comparing data between males and females in Spain.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Overuse of medical services is a challenge worldwide, posing a threat to the quality of care, patient safety and the sustainability of healthcare systems. Some data suggest that females receive more low-value practices (LVPs)-defined as medical interventions that provide little or no benefit to patients and can even cause harm-than males. This study aims to evaluate and compare the occurrence of LVPs in primary care among both males and females.

Design

A retrospective study was conducted.

Setting

Primary care in the Alicante province (Spain) during 2022.

Participants

Data were extracted from the digital medical records of 978 936 patients attended by 1125 family physicians across 262 primary healthcare centres in the Alicante province.