Table 1 Summary of measures

Structure of practice

Sociodemographic data of physicians

Number of years worked as a physician / medical assistant

Type of practice (e.g. single or community practice)

Patient characteristics

Number of patients quartlerly

Sociodemographic data of patients

Percentage of patients older than 65 years

Diagnosis of patient

Patients participation in chronic care programs

Patients number of doctor visits

Medication

Long-term and acute medication (e.g. dosage and active ingredients)

Other therapies and interventions as well as their frequency and duration (e.g. physiotherapy, patient education and rehabilitation)

Weighting of influencing factors during medication prescription

Noncompliance of patients receiving polypharmacy

Reports of adverse events, interactions or other consequences of polypharmacy

Describing typical patients, reporting problems with medication

Taking account of recommendations in the PRISCUS-List

Organization and processes in practice

Needed time for treating patients receiving polypharmacy

Difficulties on patient admission

Potential for changing practice organization to improve the treatment of patients receiving polypharmacy

Potential and difficulties concerning cooperation with pharmacies

Use of individual case vignettes in practice

Evidence of formal qualifications of medical assistants