Cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate what the effect is of evidence-based order sets aimed at five indications on the appropriateness of laboratory test ordering in primary care.

Cluster randomised controlled trial in Belgian primary care practices. Participants will be primary care physicians working in primary care practices affiliated to one of three collaborating laboratories in the Leuven, Ghent or Antwerp regions.

Primary care practices will be allocated and randomized to either the intervention or control group. Physicians in PCPs randomized to the intervention will be offered order sets based on indication when using the CPOE for ordering laboratory tests. The effect of order sets will be analyzed for 17 common indications for ordering laboratory tests in Belgian primary care: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, general check-up, unexplained fatigue, anemia, liver pathology, medication monitoring, gout, chronic kidney disease, lung embolism, acute coronary syndrome, diarrhea, thyroid disease, sexually transmitted disease, rheumatoid arthritis and obesity.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Primary care practices will be considered eligible if all the physicians active in the practice agree to be involved in the study

• All family physicians will be considered eligible if they:

  • Collaborate with either MCH, Anacura or AML for their laboratory test orders
  • Agree to use the online CPOE for their laboratory test orders
  • Use a computerized EHR for patient care
  • Agree to the terms in the informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Primary care practices where one or more physicians refuse to be enrolled will be excluded

IPD sharing plan not yet decided. Decision will be made upon start of trial.