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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Study protocol

Changing the Antibiotic Prescribing of general practice registrars: the ChAP study protocol for a prospective controlled study of a multimodal educational intervention

Authors: Mieke L. van Driel, Simon Morgan, Amanda Tapley, Lawrie McArthur, Patrick McElduff, Lucy Yardley, Anthea Dallas, Laura Deckx, Katie Mulquiney, Joshua S. Davis, Andrew Davey, Kim Henderson, Paul Little, Parker J. Magin

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

Australian General Practitioners (GPs) are generous prescribers of antibiotics, prompting concerns including increasing antimicrobial resistance in the community. Recent data show that GPs in vocational training have prescribing patterns comparable with the high prescribing rate of their established GP supervisors. Evidence-based guidelines consistently advise that antibiotics are not indicated for uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and are rarely indicated for acute bronchitis. A number of interventions have been trialled to promote rational antibiotic prescribing by established GPs (with variable effectiveness), but the impact of such interventions in a training setting is unclear. We hypothesise that intervening while early-career GPs are still developing their practice patterns and prescribing habits will result in better adherence to evidence-based guidelines as manifested by lower antibiotic prescribing rates for URTIs and acute bronchitis.

Methods/design

The intervention consists of two online modules, a face-to-face workshop for GP trainees, a face-to-face workshop for their supervisors and encouragement for the trainee-supervisor dyad to include a case-based discussion of evidence-based antibiotic prescribing in their weekly one-on-one teaching meetings.

We will use a non-randomised, non-equivalent control group design to assess the impact on antibiotic prescribing for acute upper respiratory infections and acute bronchitis by GP trainees in vocational training.

Discussion

Early-career GPs who are still developing their clinical practice and prescribing habits are an underutilized target-group for interventions to curb the growth of antimicrobial resistance in the community. Interventions that are embedded into existing training programs or are linked to continuing professional development have potential to increase the impact of existing interventions at limited additional cost.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12614001209684 (registered 17/11/2014).

Available only for authorised users

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Title: Changing the Antibiotic Prescribing of general practice registrars: the ChAP study protocol for a prospective controlled study of a multimodal educational intervention
Authors: Mieke L. van Driel
Simon Morgan
Amanda Tapley
Lawrie McArthur
Patrick McElduff
Lucy Yardley
Anthea Dallas
Laura Deckx
Katie Mulquiney
Joshua S. Davis
Andrew Davey
Kim Henderson
Paul Little
Parker J. Magin
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-016-0470-7

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Changing the Antibiotic Prescribing of general practice registrars: the ChAP study protocol for a prospective controlled study of a multimodal educational intervention

Abstract

Background

Methods/design

Discussion

Trial registration

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods/design

Discussion

Trial registration

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