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Published in: Trials 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Antibiotic | Study protocol

Converting habits of antibiotic use for respiratory tract infections in German primary care – study protocol of the cluster-randomized controlled CHANGE-3 trial

Authors: Anja Wollny, Attila Altiner, Tonia Brand, Katharina Garbe, Martina Kamradt, Petra Kaufmann-Kolle, Mirko Leyh, Regina Poß-Doering, Joachim Szecsenyi, Lorenz Uhlmann, Arwed Voss, Dorothea Weber, Michel Wensing, Christin Löffler

Published in: Trials | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

The overuse of antibiotics is a major cause for the worldwide rise of antibiotic resistance. Although it is well known that acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) are mainly caused by viruses and are often self limiting, antibiotics are too frequently prescribed in primary care. CHANGE-3 examines whether a complex intervention focusing on improving communication and provision of prescribing feedback reduces antibiotic use in patients suffering from ARTI.

Methods/design

The CHANGE-3 trial is a cluster-randomized controlled trial nested within a web-based public campaign conducted in two regions in Germany. A total of 114 medical practices will be included. Practices randomized to the intervention will receive a practice-specific antibiotic-prescription feedback and an educational outreach visit. During the visit the whole practice team will receive an introduction to e-learning modules addressing patient-centered communication on antibiotics. Furthermore, the practices will receive tablet PCs with information on antibiotics and the treatment of ARTI to be presented to patients. Practices randomized to the control will provide care as usual. The primary outcome measure is the antibiotic prescribing rate for patients with a history of ARTI. Data collected before the intervention, during the intervention and after the intervention will be compared. The use of narrow- vs. broad-spectrum antibiotics will be analyzed as a secondary outcome. A process evaluation is also part of the trial.

Discussion

This study should contribute to the growing body of research on reducing antibiotic prescription.

Trial registration

ISRCTN, ISRCTN15061174. Registered retrospectively on 13 July 2018.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Converting habits of antibiotic use for respiratory tract infections in German primary care – study protocol of the cluster-randomized controlled CHANGE-3 trial
Authors
Anja Wollny
Attila Altiner
Tonia Brand
Katharina Garbe
Martina Kamradt
Petra Kaufmann-Kolle
Mirko Leyh
Regina Poß-Doering
Joachim Szecsenyi
Lorenz Uhlmann
Arwed Voss
Dorothea Weber
Michel Wensing
Christin Löffler
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Trials / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-019-3209-7

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