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Chan OS, Wu P, Cowling B, Lee E, Yeung M, St-Hilaire S, Tun H, Wernli D, Lam W. Prescribing antibiotics prudently-A survey of policy implementation drivers among physicians and veterinarians. One Health 2024; 18:100752. [PMID: 38832078 PMCID: PMC11145358 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background As the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) problem accelerates, humans and animals are suffering from the consequences of infections with diminishing antimicrobial treatment options. Within the One Medicine and One Health mandate, which denotes a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach to improve medicine and health across human and animal sectors, we investigate how human and veterinary medical practitioners apply their medical and policy knowledge in prescribing antimicrobials. Different regions and locations establish different intermediary policies and programs to support clinicians in that pursuit. In Hong Kong, there are locally adapted programs at governance and clinical levels in the human medical field. However, there is no locally adapted veterinary antibiotic prescription guideline or stewardship program, and veterinarians adopt overseas or international professions' antimicrobial use guidelines. Such a policy environment creates a natural experiment to compare local policy implementation conditions and clinicians' knowledge, perception, and practice. Method We construct the investigative survey tool by adaptation of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) and Capacity, Opportunity, and Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) models. We identify, compare and contrast factors that influence clinicians' antimicrobial prescription behavior. The factors are considered both intrinsically, such as personal attributes, and extrinsically, such as societal and professional norms. Findings The absence of locally adopted antimicrobial guidelines influences AMR stewardship program implementation in local Hong Kong veterinary community. As medical allies, physicians and veterinarians share similar demographic influence, organization considerations and perception of public awareness. Both cohorts prescribe more prudently with more years-in-practice, time available to communicate with patients or caretakers, and public awareness and support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia S.K. Chan
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Peng Wu
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Ben Cowling
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Elaine Lee
- Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, 5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Michelle Yeung
- Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, 5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sophie St-Hilaire
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Hein Tun
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Didier Wernli
- Global Studies Institute, University of Geneva, Sciences II, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, CH-1211 Genève, Switzerland
| | - Wendy Lam
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
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Chan OSK, Lam W, Zhao S, Tun H, Liu P, Wu P. Why prescribe antibiotics? A systematic review of knowledge, tension, and motivation among clinicians in low-, middle- and high-income countries. Soc Sci Med 2024; 345:116600. [PMID: 38394944 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Medical professionals such as physicians and veterinarians are responsible for appropriate antimicrobial prescription (AMP) and use. Although seemingly straightforward, the factors influencing antibiotic prescription, a category of antimicrobials, are complex. Many studies have been conducted in the past two decades on this subject. As a result, there is a plethora of empirical evidence regarding the factors influencing clinicians' AMP practices. AIM A systematic review of AMR studies on AMP was conducted, condensing findings according to a combination of the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) and Capacity, Opportunity, Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) models. Review findings were then synthesized and analyzed for policy implementation according to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY A systematic literature review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines to identify peer-reviewed papers indexed in pre-determined medical science, social sciences, and humanities databases that apply the KAP model in their investigations. Antimicrobial prescription factors were compared and contrasted among low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs). FINDINGS The KAP model is a heuristic and structured framework for identifying and classifying respondents' knowledge. However, other than medical knowledge, factors that influence prescription decision-making can be expanded to include attitudes, perception, personal affinities, professional circumstances, relational pressure, and social norms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia S K Chan
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
| | - Wendy Lam
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
| | - Shilin Zhao
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
| | - Hein Tun
- Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
| | - Ping Liu
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
| | - Peng Wu
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
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Schaffler-Schaden D, Stöllinger L, Avian A, Terebessy A, Scott AM, Streit S, Piccoliori G, Zelko E, Huter S, Mergenthal K, Bachler H, Flamm M, Siebenhofer A. Gender Differences in Perceived Working Conditions of General Practitioners During the COVID-19 Pandemic-a Cross-Sectional Study. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:1894-1901. [PMID: 36971880 PMCID: PMC10042103 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08166-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has revealed gender-specific differences between general practitioners in adapting to the posed challenges. As primary care workforce is becoming increasingly female, in many countries, it is essential to take a closer look at gender-specific influences when the global health care system is confronted with a crisis. OBJECTIVE To explore gender-specific differences in the perceived working conditions and gender-specific differences in challenges facing GPs at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. DESIGN Online survey in seven countries. PARTICIPANTS 2,602 GPs from seven countries (Austria, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia). Of the respondents, 44.4% (n = 1,155) were women. MAIN MEASURES Online survey. We focused on gender-specific differences in general practitioners' perceptions of working conditions at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. KEY RESULTS Female GPs rated their skills and self-confidence significantly lower than male GPs (f: 7.1, 95%CI: 6.9-7.3 vs. m: 7.6, 95%CI 7.4-7.8; p < .001), and their perceived risk (concerned about becoming infected or infecting others) higher than men (f: 5.7, 95%CI: 5.4-6.0 vs. m: 5.1, 95%CI: 4.8-5.5; p = .011). Among female GPs, low self-confidence in the treatment of COVID-19 patients appear to be common. Results were similar in all of the participating countries. CONCLUSIONS Female and male GPs differed in terms of their self-confidence when dealing with COVID-19-related issues and their perceptions of the risks arising from the pandemic. To ensure optimal medical care, it is important that GPs realistically assess their own abilities and overall risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Schaffler-Schaden
- Institute for General Practice, Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Lena Stöllinger
- Institute for General Practice, Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Alexander Avian
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2/5 8036, Graz, Austria.
| | - András Terebessy
- Department of Public Health - Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anna M Scott
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University Australia, Robina, Australia
| | - Sven Streit
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Giuliano Piccoliori
- Institute of General Practice, Institute for Special Training in General Medicine, Claudiana Bozen, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Erika Zelko
- Faculty of Medicine Johannes, Kepler University of Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Sebastian Huter
- Institute for General Practice, Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Karola Mergenthal
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Herbert Bachler
- Institute of General Practice, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maria Flamm
- Institute for General Practice, Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Andrea Siebenhofer
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute for General Practice and Evidence Based Health Services Research, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
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Riccò M, Zaniboni A, Satta E, Ranzieri S, Cerviere MP, Marchesi F, Peruzzi S. West Nile Virus Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study on Italian Medical Professionals during Summer Season 2022. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7120404. [PMID: 36548659 PMCID: PMC9786547 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7120404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) has progressively endemized in large areas of continental Europe, and particularly in Northern Italy, in the Po River Valley. During summer season 2022, Italy experienced an unprecedented surge in incidence cases of WNV infections, including its main complications (West Nile fever (WNF) and West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND)). As knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of medical professionals may be instrumental in guaranteeing a prompt diagnosis and an accurate management of incident cases, we performed a cross-sectional study specifically on a sample of Italian medical professionals (1 August 2022-10 September 2022; around 8800 potential recipients). From a total of 332 questionnaires (response rate of 3.8%), 254 participating medical professionals were eventually included in the analyses. Knowledge status of participants was unsatisfying, as most of them exhibited knowledge gaps on the actual epidemiology of WNV, with similar uncertainties on the clinical features of WNF and WNND. Moreover, most of participants substantially overlooked WNV as a human pathogen when compared to SARS-CoV-2, TB, and even HIV. Interestingly, only 65.4% of respondents were either favorable or highly favorable towards a hypothetical WNV vaccine. Overall, acknowledging a higher risk perception on WNV was associated with individual factors such as reporting a seniority ≥ 10 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.39, 95% Confidence interval [95%CI] 1.34 to 4.28), reporting a better knowledge score (aOR 2.92, 95%CI 1.60 to 5.30), having previously managed cases of WNV infections (aOR 3.65, 95%CI 1.14 to 14.20), being favorable towards a hypothetic vaccine (aOR 2.16, 95%CI 1.15 to 4.04), and perceiving WNV infections as potentially affecting daily activities (aOR 2.57, 95%CI 1.22 to 5.42). In summary, substantial knowledge gaps and the erratic risk perception collectively enlighten the importance and the urgency for appropriate information campaigns among medical professionals, and particularly among frontline personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Riccò
- Occupational Health and Safety Service on the Workplace/Servizio di Prevenzione e Sicurezza Ambienti di Lavoro (SPSAL), Department of Public Health, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +39-339-2994343 or +39-522-837587
| | | | - Elia Satta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Silvia Ranzieri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | | | - Federico Marchesi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Simona Peruzzi
- Laboratorio Analisi Chimico Cliniche e Microbiologiche, Ospedale Civile di Guastalla, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42016 Guastalla, Italy
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Riccò M, Zaniboni A, Satta E, Baldassarre A, Cerviere MP, Marchesi F, Peruzzi S. Management and Prevention of Traveler's Diarrhea: A Cross-Sectional Study on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Italian Occupational Physicians (2019 and 2022). Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:370. [PMID: 36422921 PMCID: PMC9692574 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7110370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Even though Italian Occupational Physicians (OP) are increasingly involved in the managing of overseas workers, their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in travel medicine are mostly undefined. We, therefore, permed a KAP study specifically targeting the management of travelers' diarrhea (TD) by OP. A total of 371 professionals (43.4% males; mean age 40.8 ± 10.9 years) completed in 2 rounds (2019 and 2022) a specifically designed web questionnaire that inquired participating OP on their knowledge status (KS), risk perception, and management of TD through pre- and post-travel advice and interventions. Multivariable odds ratios (aOR) for predictors of a better knowledge status were calculated through regression analysis. Eventually, the majority of participants (53.4%) had participated in the management of cases of TD in the previous months, but only 26.4% were reportedly involved in pre-travel consultations. The overall knowledge status was unsatisfying (potential range: 0-100%, actual average of the sample 59.6% ± 14.6), with substantial uncertainties in the management of antimicrobial treatment. Interestingly, only a small subset of participants had previously prescribed antimicrobial prophylaxis or treatment (3.5% and 1.9%, respectively). Main effectors of a better knowledge status were: having a background qualification in Hygiene and Public Health (aOR 14.769, 95%CI 5.582 to 39.073), having previously managed any case of (aOR 3.107, 95%CI 1.484 to 6.506), and having higher concern on TD, reported by acknowledging high frequency (aOR 8.579, 95%CI 3.383 to 21.756) and severity (aOR 3.386; 95%CI 1.741 to 6.585) of this disorder. As the adherence of participating OP to official recommendations for TD management was unsatisfying, continuous Education on Travel Medicine should be improved by sharing up-to-date official recommendations on appropriate treatment options for TD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Riccò
- Servizio di Prevenzione e Sicurezza Negli Ambienti di Lavoro (SPSAL), Department of Public Health, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, I-42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zaniboni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, I-43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Elia Satta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, I-43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Antonio Baldassarre
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, I-50134 Florence, Italy
| | | | - Federico Marchesi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, I-43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Simona Peruzzi
- Laboratorio Analisi Chimico Cliniche e Microbiologiche, Ospedale Civile di Guastalla, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, I-42016 Guastalla, Italy
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Riccò M, Ferraro P, Peruzzi S, Zaniboni A, Ranzieri S. Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs of General Practitioners from North-Eastern Italy (2021). Pediatr Rep 2022; 14:147-165. [PMID: 35466200 PMCID: PMC9036244 DOI: 10.3390/pediatric14020021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a lead cause of morbidity and hospitalizations in infants. RSV vaccines are currently under development, and preventive options are limited to monoclonal antibodies (mAb). We assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices for RSV in a sample of general practitioners (GPs) from north-eastern Italy (2021), focusing on the risk perception for infants (age < 8 years) and its potential effectors. We administered an internet survey to 543 GPs, with a response rate of 28.9%. Knowledge status was unsatisfactory, with substantial knowledge gaps found on the epidemiology of RSV and its prevention through mAb. The main effectors of risk perception were identified as having a background in pediatrics (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 55.398 and 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 6.796−451.604), being favorable towards RSV vaccines when available (aOR: 4.728, 95% CI: 1.999−11.187), while having previously managed an RSV case (aOR: 0.114, 95% CI: 0.024−0.552) and previously recommended hospitalization for cases (aOR: 0.240, 95% CI: 0.066−0.869) were identified as negative effectors. In summary, the significant extent of knowledge gaps and the erratic risk perception, associated with the increasing occurrence in RSV infections, collectively stress the importance of appropriate information campaigns among primary care providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Riccò
- AUSL–IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Servizio di Prevenzione e Sicurezza Negli Ambienti di Lavoro (SPSAL), Local Health Unit of Reggio Emilia, I-42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +39-339-2994343 or +39-522-837587
| | - Pietro Ferraro
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Direzione Sanità, Italian Railways’ Infrastructure Division, RFI SpA, I-00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Simona Peruzzi
- AUSL–IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Laboratorio Analisi Chimico Cliniche e Microbiologiche, Ospedale Civile di Guastalla, I-42016 Guastalla, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Zaniboni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, I-43126 Parma, Italy; (A.Z.); (S.R.)
| | - Silvia Ranzieri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, I-43126 Parma, Italy; (A.Z.); (S.R.)
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