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Baillie EJ, Merlo G, Biezen R, Peprah Boaitey K, Magin PJ, van Driel ML, Hall L. Diagnosis and management of acute infections during telehealth consultations in Australian general practice: a qualitative study. BJGP Open 2024; 8:BJGPO.2023.0142. [PMID: 38092442 PMCID: PMC11169986 DOI: 10.3399/bjgpo.2023.0142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of telehealth has increased dramatically since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Little is known about how GPs manage acute infections during telehealth, and the potential impact on antimicrobial stewardship. AIM To explore the experiences and perceptions of GP trainees' and supervisors' use of telehealth, and how it influences their management of acute infections. DESIGN & SETTING Australian GP registrars (trainees) and supervisors were recruited via email through their training organisations. Semi-structured interviews with 18 participants were conducted between July and August 2022. METHOD Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a reflexive thematic approach. RESULTS We identified six overall themes. 1. Participants experienced impaired diagnostic capacity during telehealth consultations. 2. Attempts to improve diagnostic acuity included various methods, such as having patients self-examine. 3. The management of clinical uncertainty frequently entailed referring patients for in-person assessment, overinvestigating, or overtreating. 4. Antibiotic prescribing decisions during telehealth were informed by less information than were in-person consults, with varying impact. 5. Participants believed that other GPs improperly prescribed antibiotics during telehealth. 6. Supervisors believed that registrars hadn't developed the knowledge or skills to determine when conditions could be managed appropriately via telehealth. CONCLUSION Telehealth has potential for reducing transmission of acute infections and increasing access to healthcare. However, the implications of GPs, especially less experienced GPs, making diagnoses with less certainty, and consequently compromising antimicrobial stewardship, are a concern. Patient self-assessment tools may improve outcomes of telehealth consultations for acute infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J Baillie
- General Practice Clinical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QL, Australia
| | - Gregory Merlo
- Healthcare Improvement Unit, Queensland Health, Bowen Hills, Brisbane, QL, Australia
| | - Ruby Biezen
- Department of General Practice, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VI, Australia
| | - Kwame Peprah Boaitey
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, QL, Australia
| | - Parker J Magin
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- GP Training Research Department, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Mieke L van Driel
- General Practice Clinical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QL, Australia
| | - Lisa Hall
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QL, Australia
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Mas-Dalmau G, Pequeño-Saco S, de la Poza-Abad M, Borrell-Thió E, Besa-Castellà M, Alsina-Casalduero M, Cuixart-Costa L, Liroz-Navarro M, Calderón-Gómez C, Martí J, Cruz-Gómez I, Alonso-Coello P. Perceptions and attitudes regarding delayed antibiotic prescription for respiratory tract infections: a qualitative study. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2023; 24:204. [PMID: 37794330 PMCID: PMC10548630 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-023-02123-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibiotics are overprescribed for respiratory tract infections (RTIs). However, the decision to prescribe is often complex. Delayed antibiotic prescription (DAP), a strategy designed to promote more rational antibiotic use, is still not widely used. The aim of this study was to explore perceptions and attitudes in primary care professionals, regarding antibiotic use and different DAP strategies for uncomplicated RTIs. METHODS We conducted a qualitative study, using an inductive thematic approach to generate themes, based on focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with professionals, recruited from 6 primary care centres (Barcelona metropolitan area, Spain). RESULTS 26 professionals (25 family physicians and one nurse) were included in four focus group discussions and three semi-structured interviews. Participants commented that RTIs were a main reason for consultation, motivated often by patient anxiety and fear of possible complications, and this was associated with the patients' poor health-related education. Acknowledging inappropriate antibiotic use in the health system, participants attributed this, mainly to defensive medicine strategies. DAP was used when in doubt about the aetiology, and considering factors related to patient-physician interactions. The main perceived advantage of DAP was that it could reduce the need for additional visits, while the main disadvantage was uncertainty regarding proper use by the patient. CONCLUSIONS DAP was used by participants in cases of doubt, in specific situations, and for specific patient profiles. Weak points were detected in our primary care system and its users that affect the proper use of both antibiotics and DAP, namely, time pressure on professionals, poor patient health-related education, and the lack of a patient-physician relationship in some scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Mas-Dalmau
- Epidemiology and Public Health Department - Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau - Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain.
- Nursing Care Research Group, IIB Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Sandra Pequeño-Saco
- Epidemiology and Public Health Department - Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau - Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain
- Sub- Directorate General of Surveillance and Response to Public Health Emergencies, Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Generalitat of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Maria Alsina-Casalduero
- Llefià Primary Care Centre, Badalona, Spain
- PADES (Domestic Care Program, Support Teams) Mutuam Group, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Joel Martí
- Centre d'Estudis Sociològics sobre la Vida Quotidiana i el Treball (QUIT), Institut d'Estudis del Treball (IET), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Irene Cruz-Gómez
- Centre d'Estudis Sociològics sobre la Vida Quotidiana i el Treball (QUIT), Institut d'Estudis del Treball (IET), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Pablo Alonso-Coello
- Epidemiology and Public Health Department - Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau - Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Suttels V, Van Singer M, Clack LC, Plüss-Suard C, Niquille A, Mueller Y, Boillat Blanco N. Factors Influencing the Implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship in Primary Care: A Narrative Review. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 12:antibiotics12010030. [PMID: 36671230 PMCID: PMC9854946 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is directly driven by inappropriate use of antibiotics. Although the majority of antibiotics (an estimated 80%) are consumed in primary care settings, antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) activities in primary care remain underdeveloped and factors influencing their implementation are poorly understood. This can result in promising stewardship activities having little-to-no real-world impact. With this narrative review, we aim to identify and summarize peer-reviewed literature reporting on (1) the nature and impact of AMS interventions in primary care and (2) the individual and contextual factors influencing their implementation. Reported activities included AMS at different contextual levels (individual, collective and policy). AMS activities being often combined, it is difficult to evaluate them as stand-alone interventions. While some important individual and contextual factors were reported (difficulty to reach physicians leading to a low uptake of interventions, tight workflow of physicians requiring implementation of flexible and brief interventions and AMS as a unique opportunity to strengthen physician-patients relationship), this review identified a paucity of information in the literature about the factors that support or hinder implementation of AMS in primary care settings. In conclusion, identifying multilevel barriers and facilitators for AMS uptake is an essential step to explore before implementing primary care AMS interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Véronique Suttels
- Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Correspondence:
| | - Mathias Van Singer
- Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lauren Catherine Clack
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Catherine Plüss-Suard
- Swiss Centre for Antibiotic Resistance, Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anne Niquille
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), Pharmacy University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yolanda Mueller
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), Department of Family Medicine, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Noémie Boillat Blanco
- Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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General Practitioners’, Pharmacists’ and Parents’ Views on Antibiotic Use and Resistance in Malta: An Exploratory Qualitative Study. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11050661. [PMID: 35625305 PMCID: PMC9137633 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11050661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Antibiotic resistance (ABR) remains a global health threat that requires urgent action. Antibiotic use is a key driver of ABR and is particularly problematic in the outpatient setting. General practitioners (GPs), the public, and pharmacists therefore play an important role in safeguarding antibiotics. In this study, we aimed to gain a better understanding of the antibiotic prescribing-use-dispensation dynamic in Malta from the perspective of GPs, pharmacists, and parents; Methods: we conducted 8 focus groups with 8 GPs, 24 pharmacists, and 18 parents between 2014 and 2016. Data were analysed using inductive and deductive content analysis; Results: Awareness on antibiotic overuse and ABR was generally high among interviewees although antibiotic use was thought to be improving. Despite this, some believed that antibiotic demand, non-compliance, and over-the-counter dispensing are still a problem. Nevertheless, interviewees believed that the public is more accepting of alternative strategies, such as delayed antibiotic prescription. Both GPs and pharmacists were enthusiastic about their roles as patient educators in raising knowledge and awareness in this context; Conclusions: While antibiotic use and misuse, and knowledge and awareness, were perceived to have improved in Malta, our study suggests that even though stakeholders indicated willingness to drive change, there is still much room for improvement.
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Immediate and delayed antibiotic prescribing strategies used by Australian early-career general practitioners. Br J Gen Pract 2021; 71:e895-e903. [PMID: 34097641 PMCID: PMC8574222 DOI: 10.3399/bjgp.2021.0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Antibiotics are overused for non-pneumonia acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). Aim To establish prevalence and explore associations of delayed and immediate antibiotic prescribing strategies of Australian early-career GPs (specialist GP vocational trainees, also known as GP registrars) for non-pneumonia ARTIs. Design and setting Cross-sectional analysis of data collected between September 2016 and December 2017 from the Registrar Clinical Encounters in Training cohort (ReCEnT) study, an ongoing cohort study of GP registrars’ in-practice clinical experiences in four Australian states and territories. Method Multinomial logistic regression with outcome antibiotic prescribing (no prescribing, immediate prescribing, and delayed prescribing). Results Of 7156 new ARTI diagnoses, no antibiotics were prescribed for 4892 (68%); antibiotics were prescribed for immediate use for 1614 diagnoses (23%) and delayed antibiotics were used for 650 diagnoses (9%). Delayed prescribing was used in 22% of otitis media, 16% of sinusitis, 13% of sore throat, 11% of acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis, and 5% of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) diagnoses. Delayed prescribing was used for 29% of all prescriptions written. Delayed prescribing and immediate prescribing were associated with markers of clinical concern. Delayed prescribing was associated with longer duration of consultation and with fewer diagnoses/problems dealt with in the consultation. Conclusion Australian early-career GPs use no prescribing for ARTIs substantially more than established GPs; however, except where URTIs are concerned, they still prescribe antibiotics in excess of validated benchmarks. Australian early-career GPs may use delayed prescribing more often than European established GPs, and may use it to manage diagnostic uncertainty and, possibly, conflicting influences on prescribing behaviour. The use of delayed prescribing may enable a transition to an environment of more-rational antibiotic prescribing for ARTIs.
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Medina-Perucha L, García-Sangenís A, Moragas A, Gálvez-Hernández P, Cots JM, Lanau-Roig A, Borràs A, Amo I, Monfà R, Llor C, Berenguera A. Autonomy, power dynamics and antibiotic use in primary healthcare: A qualitative study. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0244432. [PMID: 33338078 PMCID: PMC7748265 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a global health concern. Although numerous strategies have tried to reduce inadequate antibiotic prescribing, antibiotics are still prescribed in 60% of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs) cases in Catalonia (Spain). This study aims to explore service users' experiences of ALRTIs, the quality and access to healthcare services, and health education. Selective purposive sampling was carried out, based on a prior definition of participant characteristics. These were sex, age, ethnicity, date of the last ALRTI, number of ALRTIs in the last year, and treatments received. Participants with a previous diagnosis of ALRTIs were recruited from three primary health care centres in Barcelona and one in Tarragona. Twenty-nine interviews were conducted between April and June 2019. A content thematic analysis was performed. Three themes were identified: 1) risk perceptions and help-seeking; 2) treatment preferences and antibiotic use; and 3) relationship dynamics and communication with healthcare professionals. Accounts of service users' sense of autonomy towards their health and power dynamics within the healthcare system were apparent. Supporting service users to become reliable, subjective and agentic experts of their health and bodies could help them to voice their healthcare agendas. Power structures embedded within healthcare, political and economic institutions should be challenged so that healthcare services can be co-developed (with service users) and based on service users' autonomy and horizontal relationships. Special consideration should be paid to the intersection of social vulnerabilities. A concordance approach to prescribing could be key to improve the responsible use of antibiotics and to contribute to the prevention of AMR in primary healthcare. The marketisation of health, and the increased demands of private healthcare in Spain due to the financial pressures on public healthcare as a consequence of the financial crisis of 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic, are a risk for promoting adequate antibiotic prescribing and use. Trial registration The ISAAC-CAT study has been registered in the NCT registry, ID: NCT03931577.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Medina-Perucha
- Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana García-Sangenís
- Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain
| | - Ana Moragas
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Jaume I Health Centre, Institut Català de la Salut, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Pablo Gálvez-Hernández
- Institut Universitari de Pacients (Patients’ University Institut), Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
- University of Toronto, IHPME-BFON Collaborative PhD Specialization Program in Health Services and Policy Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Josep María Cots
- La Marina Health Centre, Institut Català de la Salut, Associació d’Infermeria Familiar i Comunitària de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Lanau-Roig
- La Marina Health Centre, Institut Català de la Salut, Associació d’Infermeria Familiar i Comunitària de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alícia Borràs
- Institut Universitari de Pacients (Patients’ University Institut), Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
- Escola Universitària d'Infermeria, Escoles Universitàries Gimbernat, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain
| | - Isabel Amo
- Institut Universitari de Pacients (Patients’ University Institut), Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Monfà
- Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain
| | - Carl Llor
- Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain
- Via Roma Health Centre, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Berenguera
- Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain
- Departament d'Infermeria, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
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Rusic D, Bozic J, Bukic J, Vilovic M, Tomicic M, Seselja Perisin A, Leskur D, Modun D, Cohadzic T, Tomic S. Antimicrobial Resistance: Physicians' and Pharmacists' Perspective. Microb Drug Resist 2020; 27:670-677. [PMID: 33052767 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2020.0272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate pharmacists' and physicians' attitudes and knowledge about antimicrobial treatment and resistance and based on the results to identify possible gaps and suggest opportunities for collaboration between the two professions. Methods: The physician's questionnaire consisted of 47 items and the pharmacists' questionnaire consisted of 50 items. Participants were asked to identify situations in which they were more likely to prescribe/dispense an antimicrobial without a firm indication, to identify the greatest contributors to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among health care workers, to rate statements related to AMR, how frequently they used different sources of information and to rate the possible causes of AMR. Furthermore, preparedness for specific actions in practice was self-rated and knowledge was evaluated. The questionnaires were anonymous and participation in the study was voluntary. Results: This research included 180 community pharmacists and 181 physicians. As many as 76 (42.0%) physicians stated they would prescribe an antimicrobial when unsure whether the infection was of viral or bacterial etiology. More than half of the participants considered family medicine doctors the greatest contributors to AMR (N = 216, 59.8%), followed by patients (N = 175, 48.5%). In questions focusing on knowledge, physicians scored significantly higher compared with pharmacists (4.06 ± 1.01 vs. 3.71 ± 1.08, p = 0.001). Conclusion: This research revealed practices among pharmacists and physicians that should be improved and it highlighted gaps in knowledge by both professions. More attention should be given to patient consultation when dispensing and prescribing an antimicrobial as this may reduce their contribution to AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Rusic
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Josko Bozic
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Josipa Bukic
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Marino Vilovic
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Marion Tomicic
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Ana Seselja Perisin
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Dario Leskur
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Darko Modun
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Tin Cohadzic
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Sinisa Tomic
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia.,The Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices, Zagreb, Croatia
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