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Abu-Farha R, Gharaibeh L, Alzoubi KH, Nazal R, Zawiah M, Binsaleh AY, Shilbayeh SAR. Awareness, perspectives and practices of antibiotics deprescribing among physicians in Jordan: a cross-sectional study. J Pharm Policy Pract 2024; 17:2378484. [PMID: 39040635 PMCID: PMC11262212 DOI: 10.1080/20523211.2024.2378484] [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: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Antibiotics have significantly reduced mortality and improved outcomes across various medical fields; however, the rise of antibiotic resistance poses a major challenge, causing millions of deaths annually. Deprescribing, a process that involves discontinuing unnecessary antibiotics, is crucial for combating this threat. This study was designed to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and practices of physicians regarding antibiotic deprescribing in Jordan. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January-February 2024 to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and practices of physicians regarding antibiotic deprescribing in Jordan. An electronic questionnaire served as the data collection tool. Descriptive analysis was performed using SPSS software version 26. Additionally, logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify independent factors associated with physicians' willingness to deprescribe antibiotics. Results The study involved 252 physicians, primarily male (n = 168, 67.7%), with a median age of 33 years. Regarding antibiotics deprescribing, 21.8% (n = 55) expressed willingness to deprescribe inappropriate antibiotics.High awareness of deprescribing was evident, with 92.9% (n = 234) familiar with the concept, 94% (n = 237) knowledgeable about appropriate situations, and 96.8% (n = 244) recognising its potential benefits. Furthermore, 81.8% (n = 205) reported having received formal training in antibiotics deprescribing, and 85.3% (n = 215) were informed about the availability of deprescribing tools.Physicians highlighted challenges including insufficient time (44.4%, n = 112) and resistance from patients (41.3%, n = 104) and colleagues (42.1%, n = 106). Despite challenges, a significant proportion regularly assessed antibiotic necessity (46.9%, n = 117) and educated patients about antibiotic-related harms (40.5%, n = 102). Logistic regression analysis revealed no significant demographic factors influencing physicians' willingness to deprescribe antibiotics (p > 0.05). Conclusion Physicians in Jordan exhibit high awareness of antibiotics deprescribing and recognise its benefits. Challenges such as time constraints and communication barriers need to be addressed to facilitate effective deprescribing practices. Comprehensive guidelines and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential for promoting judicious antibiotic use and combating antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Abu-Farha
- Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Lobna Gharaibeh
- Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Karem H. Alzoubi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Rawand Nazal
- Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mohammed Zawiah
- Department of Clinical Practice, College of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Hodeidah University, Al Hodeida, Yemen
| | - Ammena Y. Binsaleh
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sireen Abdul Rahim Shilbayeh
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Saust LT, Siersma VD, Bjerrum L, Hansen MP. Development of quality indicators for the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections in general practice: a RAND appropriateness method. BMJ Open Qual 2023; 12:bmjoq-2022-002156. [PMID: 37230738 DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2022-002156] [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: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To develop a set of quality indicators for the diagnosis and antibiotic treatment of adult patients with suspected urinary tract infections in general practice. DESIGN A Research and Development/University of California Los Angeles appropriateness method was used. SETTING Danish general practice. SUBJECTS A panel of nine experts, mainly general practitioners, was asked to rate the relevance of 27 preliminary quality indicators. The set of indicators was based on the most recent Danish guidelines for the management of patients with suspected urinary tract infection. An online meeting was held to resolve misinterpretations and achieve consensus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The experts were asked to rate the indicators on a nine-point Likert scale. Consensus of appropriateness was reached if the overall panel median rating was 7-9 with agreement. Agreement was defined as: no more than one expert rated the indicator outside the three-point region (1-3, 4-6 and 7-9) containing the median. RESULTS A total of 23 of the 27 proposed quality indicators attained consensus. One additional indicator was proposed by the panel of experts, leading to a final set of 24 quality indicators. All indicators focusing on the diagnostic process achieved consensus of appropriateness, while the experts agreed on three quarters of the proposed quality indicators concerning either the treatment decision or the choice of antibiotics. CONCLUSION This set of quality indicators may be used to strengthen general practice's focus on the management of patients with a possible urinary tract infection and to identify potential quality problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Trolle Saust
- Department of Public Health, Section of General Practice and Research Unit for General Practice, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Center for General Practice, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Volkert Dirk Siersma
- Department of Public Health, Section of General Practice and Research Unit for General Practice, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Bjerrum
- Department of Public Health, Section of General Practice and Research Unit for General Practice, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Malene Plejdrup Hansen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Center for General Practice, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Saust LT, Siersma V, Lykkegaard J, Bjerrum L, Hansen MP. Diagnosis and Antibiotic Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections in Danish General Practice: A Quality Assessment. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:1759. [PMID: 36551416 PMCID: PMC9774586 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11121759] [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: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rational antibiotic treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI) is important. To improve the quality of antibiotic treatment of UTI, it is essential to obtain insight into diagnostic approaches and prescribing patterns in general practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of diagnostics and treatment of UTI in general practice by means of quality indicators (QIs). QIs provide a quantitative measure of quality and are defined by a numerator (the number of patients receiving a specific investigation or treatment) and a denominator (the number of patients included in the quality assessment). For adult patients with suspected UTI, practices registered the following: age, sex, risk factors, symptoms and signs, examinations, diagnosis and treatment. The levels of the QIs were compared with their corresponding standards. Half of the patients diagnosed with lower UTI or pyelonephritis fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for UTI: characteristic UTI symptoms and clear signs of bacteriuria, respectively. Urinalysis was performed for nearly all patients, including patients without characteristic symptoms of UTI. One-fourth of the patients with suspected lower UTI were treated with antibiotics despite no urinalysis and nearly half received antibiotics despite an inconclusive dipstick test. Pivmecillam was the preferred antibiotic. The findings of this study indicate that there is room for improvement in the management of UTI in Danish general practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Trolle Saust
- Center for General Practice, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
- Section of General Practice and Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Volkert Siersma
- Section of General Practice and Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper Lykkegaard
- Audit Project Odense, Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Lars Bjerrum
- Section of General Practice and Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Malene Plejdrup Hansen
- Center for General Practice, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
- Audit Project Odense, Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
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Llor C, Cordoba G, de Oliveira SM, Bjerrum L, Moragas A. Antibiotic deprescribing: Spanish general practitioners' views on a new strategy to reduce inappropriate use of antibiotics in primary care. Eur J Gen Pract 2022; 28:217-223. [PMID: 36314609 PMCID: PMC9629099 DOI: 10.1080/13814788.2022.2130887] [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: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A doctor may recommend that a patient stop an antibiotic course before its scheduled completion time if further treatment may cause more harm than benefit. OBJECTIVES This study explores general practitioners' (GP) opinions about the use of antibiotic deprescribing (AD) in general practice. METHODS A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study answered from February to March 2022. GPs (n = 6,083) affiliated with the largest Spanish scientific society of primary care were invited to participate. The survey included two statements related to use and fourteen views about AD rated by GPs using a 5-item Likert scale. RESULTS Eleven hundred and seven doctors completed the surveys (18.2%), of whom 92.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 90.8-94%) reported having used the AD strategy in their practice at least once. GPs felt very confident in using a deprescribing strategy in patients with common cold and influenza (97.6% and 93.5%, respectively) but less with acute bronchitis (45.5%); 12.1% (95% CI, 10.2-14.2%) considered this practice harmful to patients. Respondents reported using AD more frequently when they initiated the antibiotic course (96.8%; 95% CI, 95.5-97.7) than when the treatment was initiated by another doctor (52.3%; 95% CI, 49.3-55.3%). However, doctors aged >60 years were more prone to use AD compared with younger colleagues (64.5% vs. 50%; p < 0.005). CONCLUSION The GPs in this study employ the strategy of AD. Nonetheless, essential differences lie in their views of the way the strategy is used. Further studies are warranted to explore the beliefs behind these perceptions and promote wider use of AD by GPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Llor
- Department of Public Health, General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Health Centre Via Roma, University Institute in Primary Care Research Jordi Gol i Gurina, CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gloria Cordoba
- International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS), Denmark
- Section and Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sandi Michele de Oliveira
- Section and Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Bjerrum
- Section and Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ana Moragas
- Jaume I Health Centre, University Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
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Godman B, Haque M, McKimm J, Abu Bakar M, Sneddon J, Wale J, Campbell S, Martin AP, Hoxha I, Abilova V, Anand Paramadhas BD, Mpinda-Joseph P, Matome M, de Lemos LLP, Sefah I, Kurdi A, Opanga S, Jakupi A, Saleem Z, Hassali MA, Kibuule D, Fadare J, Bochenek T, Rothe C, Furst J, Markovic-Pekovic V, Bojanić L, Schellack N, Meyer JC, Matsebula Z, Phuong TNT, Thanh BN, Jan S, Kalungia A, Mtapuri-Zinyowera S, Sartelli M, Hill R. Ongoing strategies to improve the management of upper respiratory tract infections and reduce inappropriate antibiotic use particularly among lower and middle-income countries: findings and implications for the future. Curr Med Res Opin 2020; 36:301-327. [PMID: 31794332 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2019.1700947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Antibiotics are indispensable to maintaining human health; however, their overuse has resulted in resistant organisms, increasing morbidity, mortality and costs. Increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health threat, resulting in multiple campaigns across countries to improve appropriate antimicrobial use. This includes addressing the overuse of antimicrobials for self-limiting infections, such as upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), particularly in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where there is the greatest inappropriate use and where antibiotic utilization has increased the most in recent years. Consequently, there is a need to document current practices and successful initiatives in LMICs to improve future antimicrobial use.Methodology: Documentation of current epidemiology and management of URTIs, particularly in LMICs, as well as campaigns to improve future antimicrobial use and their influence where known.Results: Much concern remains regarding the prescribing and dispensing of antibiotics for URTIs among LMICs. This includes considerable self-purchasing, up to 100% of pharmacies in some LMICs. However, multiple activities are now ongoing to improve future use. These incorporate educational initiatives among all key stakeholder groups, as well as legislation and other activities to reduce self-purchasing as part of National Action Plans (NAPs). Further activities are still needed however. These include increased physician and pharmacist education, starting in medical and pharmacy schools; greater monitoring of prescribing and dispensing practices, including the development of pertinent quality indicators; and targeted patient information and health education campaigns. It is recognized that such activities are more challenging in LMICs given more limited resources and a lack of healthcare professionals.Conclusion: Initiatives will grow across LMICs to reduce inappropriate prescribing and dispensing of antimicrobials for URTIs as part of NAPs and other activities, and these will be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Godman
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Health Economics Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Mainul Haque
- Unit of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (National Defence University of Malaysia), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Judy McKimm
- Swansea University School of Medicine, Grove Building, Swansea University, Wales UK
| | - Muhamad Abu Bakar
- Unit of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (National Defence University of Malaysia), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Janney Wale
- Independent Consumer Advocate, Brunswick, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen Campbell
- Centre for Primary Care, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Antony P Martin
- Health Economics Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Iris Hoxha
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Vafa Abilova
- Analytical Expertise Center, Ministry of Health, Baku, Azerbaijan Republic
| | | | - Pinkie Mpinda-Joseph
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Nyangabgwe Hospital, Francistown, Botswana
| | | | - Livia Lovato Pires de Lemos
- SUS Collaborating Centre for Technology Assessment and Excellence in Health, sala, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, Campus Pampulha, Minas Gerais, CEP, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, CEP, Brazil
| | - Israel Sefah
- Department of Pharmacy, Keta Municipal Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Keta, Ghana
| | - Amanj Kurdi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Sylvia Opanga
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Zikria Saleem
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
- Hamdard Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hamdard University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Dan Kibuule
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Joseph Fadare
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Tomasz Bochenek
- Department of Drug Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Celia Rothe
- Department of Drug Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jurij Furst
- Health Insurance Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vanda Markovic-Pekovic
- Department of Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Ljubica Bojanić
- Public Health Institute, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Natalie Schellack
- School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Johanna C Meyer
- School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Thuy Nguyen Thi Phuong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Administration and PharmacoEconomics, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Binh Nguyen Thanh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Administration and PharmacoEconomics, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Saira Jan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Department of Pharmacy Strategy and Clinical Integration, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Aubrey Kalungia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Massimo Sartelli
- Department of Surgery, University of Macerata, Macerata Hospital, Macerata, MC, Italy
| | - Ruaraidh Hill
- Liverpool Reviews and Implementation Group, Liverpool University, Liverpool, UK
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