Empowering Patients to Self-Manage Common Infections: Qualitative Study Informing the Development of an Evidence-Based Patient Information Leaflet

"Arming half-baked people with weapons!" Information enclaving among professionals and the need for a care-centred model for antibiotic use information in Uganda, Tanzania and Malawi

BACKGROUND

The overuse of antimicrobial medicines is a global health concern, including as a major driver of antimicrobial resistance. In many low- and middle-income countries, a substantial proportion of antibiotics are purchased over-the-counter without a prescription. But while antibiotics are widely available, information on when and how to use them is not.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to understand the acceptability among experts and professionals of sharing information on antibiotic use with end users - patients, carers and farmers - in Uganda, Tanzania and Malawi.

METHODS

Building on extended periods of fieldwork amongst end-users and antibiotic providers in the three countries, we conducted two workshops in each, with a total of 44 medical and veterinary professionals, policy makers and drug regulators, in December 2021. We carried out extensive documentary and literature reviews to characterise antibiotic information systems in each setting.

RESULTS

Participants reported that the general public had been provided information on medicine use in all three countries by national drug authorities, health care providers and in package inserts. Participants expressed concern over the danger of sharing detailed information on antibiotic use, particularly that end-users are not equipped to determine appropriate use of medicines. Sharing of general instructions to encourage professionally-prescribed practices was preferred.

CONCLUSIONS

Without good access to prescribers, the tension between enclaving and sharing of knowledge presents an equity issue. Transitioning to a client care-centred model that begins with the needs of the patient, carer or farmer will require sharing unbiased antibiotic information at the point of care.

Pharmacists' perspectives on recommending herbal medicines for acute infections: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Community pharmacists have an essential role in antimicrobial stewardship by providing self-care advice for self-limiting infections.

AIM

To explore community pharmacists' perceptions and experiences of advising patients on management of acute respiratory tract infections (RTIs) and urinary tract infections (UTIs), and to explore issues regarding use of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, including herbal medicines.

DESIGN & SETTING

A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with community pharmacists in England.

METHOD

Qualitative interviews with community pharmacists were carried out face to face and by telephone between November 2019 and March 2020. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews, recorded and transcribed. A reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken.

RESULTS

In total, 18 community pharmacists were interviewed. Three main themes were identified. Theme 1 was self-management recommendations. Community pharmacists considered patients' preferences when recommending self-management strategies. Some believed that conventional OTC medications had quicker and stronger effects, while others preferred herbal OTCs as a more natural approach, particularly for less severe symptoms. Theme 2 was factors influencing pharmacists' recommendations for acute infections. This included pharmacists' perceptions of patient preferences, nature or severity of illness, research evidence, training, commercial pressures, and patient concerns about medication cost. Theme 3 was pharmacist-patient communication. Pharmacists sometimes experienced challenges with language barriers and patients' expectations of receiving antibiotics. Pharmacists emphasised the importance of being trusted by their patients. There was widespread acceptance of their role in self-management advice for acute illness and interest in the role of herbal medicines, but pharmacists did not feel confident in recommending these.

CONCLUSION

Pharmacists are central to the management of self-limiting infections. There is a need to educate the public about appropriate use of antibiotics and provide training and support for pharmacists on self-management strategies including herbal medicine.

Co-design to increase implementation of insomnia guidelines in primary care

BACKGROUND

Sleep disorders, including insomnia, are widespread problems, which have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guidelines for the treatment of insomnia prioritize non-pharmacological interventions. Nevertheless, primary care professionals lack well-developed material for patient education, that could help implement the treatment guidelines in Flanders, Belgium.

OBJECTIVE

This project's purpose is to develop complementary, written educational material, grounded in the principles of evidence-based practice, for primary care.

PATIENT INVOLVEMENT

This co-design project involved patients and health professionals. Special attention was given to including patients with low health literacy, and empowering patients when designing in mixed groups.

METHODS

Based on the framework of Sanders and Stappers (2014), data were collected and analyzed in four phases. Pre-design, needs were explored using think-aloud studies and focus groups. Next, for generative purposes, the design studio method was used. Then, evaluation of the prototype happened with another series of think-aloud studies. Finally, post-design, implementation of the product was evaluated with a short survey.

RESULTS

Twenty-five participants (10 patients and 15 healthcare professionals) contributed to the development of an educational patient leaflet called Sssssst. How do you sleep (at night)? Out of 30 professionals who received the printed leaflet for use in practice, 17 provided feedback after six months. Generally, the leaflet was well received. Visual design aspects stimulated use in practice.

DISCUSSION

Written and visual materials aid primary care professionals to educate patients on sleep and insomnia. This supporting tool also stimulates self-management in patients. Although inspiring and educational for all stakeholders, a co-design approach is no guarantee for the product to "fit all".

Recurrent cystitis: patients' needs, expectations and contribution to developing an information leaflet - a qualitative study

OBJECTIVES

Recurring cystitis (RC) is a common complaint among women. It has a significant impact on patients' quality of life. The physical discomfort and psychological distress related to RC are rarely addressed and women's needs in terms of information and advice have not been sufficiently explored, particularly in France in spite of their frequent episodes of RC. This study aimed to assess women's needs and expectations in view of developing a patient information leaflet to help them understand and better cope with their condition, thus offering them more autonomy and empowering them to self-manage whenever possible.

METHOD

Qualitative study using recorded semistructured interviews with patients suffering from RC.

SETTING

Interviews conducted with women suffering from RC in Corsica, France.

PARTICIPANTS

26 patients interviewed between January 2018 and April 2018.

RESULTS

Knowledge of the condition was heterogeneous, but most women reported a major impact on daily life, a high level of anxiety, various management strategies and wished to avoid taking antibiotics, preferring alternative approaches. Patients reported a lack of understanding and sympathy on the part of physicians and society and wished for more autonomy with delayed/back-up prescriptions, a multidisciplinary follow-up and, most of all, appropriate information.

CONCLUSION

The information leaflet should improve patients' knowledge and capacity for self-care, contribute to standardise practice and limit inappropriate antibiotic use.

Mixed-Method Evaluation of a Community Pharmacy Antimicrobial Stewardship Intervention (PAMSI)

The community pharmacy antimicrobial stewardship intervention (PAMSI) is multi-faceted and underpinned by behavioural science, consisting of the TARGET Antibiotic Checklist, staff e-Learning, and patient-facing materials. This mixed-method study evaluated the effect of PAMSI on community pharmacy staffs’ self-reported antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) behaviours. Data collection included staff pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, qualitative interviews, and TARGET Antibiotic Checklists. Quantitative data were analysed by a multivariate ordinal linear mixed effect model; qualitative data were analysed thematically. A total of 101 staff participated from 66 pharmacies, and six completed semi-structured interviews. The statistical model indicated very strong evidence (p < 0.001) that post-intervention, staff increased their antibiotic appropriateness checks and patient advice, covering antibiotic adherence, antibiotic resistance, infection self-care, and safety-netting. Staff reported feeling empowered to query antibiotic appropriateness with prescribing clinicians. The TARGET Antibiotic Checklist was completed with 2043 patients. Topics patients identified as requiring advice from the pharmacy team included symptom duration, alcohol and food consumption guidance, antibiotic side-effects, and returning unused antibiotics to pharmacies. Pharmacy staff acknowledged the need for improved communication across the primary care pathway to optimise antimicrobial use, and PAMSI has potential to support this ambition if implemented nationally. To support patients not attending a pharmacy in person, an online information tool will be developed.

Co-Developing an Antibiotic Stewardship Tool for Dentistry: Shared Decision-Making for Adults with Toothache or Infection

Dentistry is responsible for around 10% of antibiotic prescribing across global healthcare, with up to 80% representing inappropriate use. Facilitating shared decision-making has been shown to optimise antibiotic prescribing (antibiotic stewardship) in primary medical care. Our aim was to co-develop a shared decision-making antibiotic stewardship tool for dentistry. Dentists, patients and other stakeholders prioritised factors to include in the new tool, based on previous research (a systematic review and ethnographic study) about dentists’ decision-making during urgent appointments. Candidate behaviour-change techniques were identified using the Behaviour Change Wheel and selected based on suitability for a shared decision-making approach. A ‘think aloud’ study helped fine-tune the tool design and Crystal Marking ensured clarity of messaging. The resulting paper-based worksheet for use at point-of-care incorporated various behaviour change techniques, such as: ’information about (and salience of) health consequences’, ‘prompts and cues’, ‘restructuring the physical (and social) environment’ and ‘credible sources’. The think aloud study confirmed the tool’s acceptability to dentists and patients, and resulted in the title: ‘Step-by-step guide to fixing your toothache.’ Further testing will be necessary to evaluate its efficacy at safely reducing dental antibiotic prescribing during urgent dental appointments in England and, with translation, to other dental contexts globally.