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BMC Primary Care
Published in: BMC Primary Care 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Study protocol

Converting habits of antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections in German primary care – the cluster-randomized controlled CHANGE-2 trial

Authors: Attila Altiner, Reinhard Berner, Annette Diener, Gregor Feldmeier, Anna Köchling, Christin Löffler, Helmut Schröder, Achim Siegel, Anja Wollny, Winfried V Kern

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

With an average prescription rate of 50%, in German primary care antibiotics are still too frequently prescribed for respiratory tract infections. The over-prescription of antibiotics is often explained by perceived patient pressure and fears of a complicated disease progression. The CHANGE-2 trial will test the effectiveness of two interventions to reduce the rate of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for adults and children suffering from respiratory tract infections in German primary care.

Methods/Design

The study is a three-arm cluster-randomized controlled trial that measures antibiotic prescription rates over three successive winter periods and reverts to administrative data of the German statutory health insurance company AOK. More than 30,000 patients in two regions of Germany, who visit their general practitioner or pediatrician for respiratory tract infections will be included. Interventions are: A) communication training for general practitioners and pediatricians and B) intervention A plus point-of-care testing. Both interventions are tested against usual care. Outcome measure is the physicians’ antibiotic prescription rate for respiratory tract infections derived from data of the health insurance company AOK. Secondary outcomes include reconsultation rate, complications, and hospital admissions.

Discussion

Major aim of the study is to improve the process of decision-making and to ensure that patients who are likely to benefit from antibiotics are treated accordingly. Our approach is simple to implement and might be used rapidly among general practitioners and pediatricians. We expect the results of this trial to have major impact on antibiotic prescription strategies and practices in Germany, both among general practitioners and pediatricians.

Trial registration

The study is registered at the Current Controlled Trials Ltd (ISRCTN01559032)
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Converting habits of antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections in German primary care – the cluster-randomized controlled CHANGE-2 trial
Authors
Attila Altiner
Reinhard Berner
Annette Diener
Gregor Feldmeier
Anna Köchling
Christin Löffler
Helmut Schröder
Achim Siegel
Anja Wollny
Winfried V Kern
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-13-124

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