Abstract:BACKGROUND: Evidence shows a high rate of unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions in primary care in Europe and the United States. Given the costs of widespread use and associated antibiotic resistance, reducing inappropriate use is a public health priority. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore clinicians' experiences of training in communication skills and use of a patient booklet and/or a C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care test to reduce antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory tract infections (RTIs). DESIGN… Show more
“…if the illness was still in its early stages and the CRP might not be initially raised) that could result in a lack of necessary antibiotic treatment 2,9,21,24…”
Respiratory tract infections (RTI) are among the most common acute conditions leading to GP consultations and to antibiotic prescribing in primary care, even though 70% are viral, and many others are minor self-limiting bacterial infections. Between 0.5% and 1.1% of adults have community-acquired pneumonia every year in the UK, most of whom are managed in primary care. The decision to prescribe antibiotics for an acute RTI in primary care is often based on clinical symptoms, which have low sensitivity and specificity, and high inter-observer variability. In primary care, it is very difficult to differentiate between diagnoses without additional tests. Unnecessary antibiotic prescribing may not aid recovery, exposes patients to potential adverse effects, may encourage repeat attendance and contributes to antibiotic resistance. One strategy aiming to reduce antibiotic prescribing in primary care is the use of biomarkers (e.g. C-reactive protein [CRP]). In the correct clinical context (e.g. in previously healthy people, not those with chronic lung disease) and as an adjunct to clinical assessment, a biomarker may help in the management of an RTI. In order to be used during the consultation, the results of a biomarker test must be rapidly available (e.g. 'point-of-care' [POC] testing). POC testing for CRP has recently been recommended as part of a national clinical guideline on the diagnosis and management of pneumonia. Here, we review the rationale for POC CRP testing and its advantages and disadvantages.
“…if the illness was still in its early stages and the CRP might not be initially raised) that could result in a lack of necessary antibiotic treatment 2,9,21,24…”
Respiratory tract infections (RTI) are among the most common acute conditions leading to GP consultations and to antibiotic prescribing in primary care, even though 70% are viral, and many others are minor self-limiting bacterial infections. Between 0.5% and 1.1% of adults have community-acquired pneumonia every year in the UK, most of whom are managed in primary care. The decision to prescribe antibiotics for an acute RTI in primary care is often based on clinical symptoms, which have low sensitivity and specificity, and high inter-observer variability. In primary care, it is very difficult to differentiate between diagnoses without additional tests. Unnecessary antibiotic prescribing may not aid recovery, exposes patients to potential adverse effects, may encourage repeat attendance and contributes to antibiotic resistance. One strategy aiming to reduce antibiotic prescribing in primary care is the use of biomarkers (e.g. C-reactive protein [CRP]). In the correct clinical context (e.g. in previously healthy people, not those with chronic lung disease) and as an adjunct to clinical assessment, a biomarker may help in the management of an RTI. In order to be used during the consultation, the results of a biomarker test must be rapidly available (e.g. 'point-of-care' [POC] testing). POC testing for CRP has recently been recommended as part of a national clinical guideline on the diagnosis and management of pneumonia. Here, we review the rationale for POC CRP testing and its advantages and disadvantages.
“…A study of medicine used in children in Germany recently reported that 13.8% of participants had used drugs to treat a common cold or an URTI in the previous 7 days; half of them took prescribed medications, of which antibiotics represented 11.5% 14. The reasons for antibiotic over-prescription are numerous 15,16. One of them is the difficulty in identifying children at risk of poor outcomes.…”
Background
Recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) are the most common reason for children’s visits to primary care physicians in France; however, little is known about general practitioners’ (GPs) opinions and expectations concerning the management and prevention of these common and recurrent pathologies.
Purpose
To describe French GPs’ daily practice in the management of respiratory infections and the prevention of their recurrence in children.
Methods
A sample group of French GPs answered a structured questionnaire on risk factors, RRTI management, antibiotic use and prevention measures.
Results
A total of 358 GPs participated in the survey. Rhinopharyngitis, the most frequent respiratory infection, was considered to be recurrent if six or more episodes occurred in a year. Four risk factors were acknowledged as substantial: living in communities, passive smoking, pollution and allergies. Around 63% of GPs said that RRTIs are too often treated with antibiotics. More than 85% thought that prevention of RRTIs is possible. Smoking cessation, vaccination, allergen avoidance and hygiene were identified as the main preventive measures. A large majority of GPs (84%) prescribed products for prevention and ~90% would prescribe a product stimulating immunity if the efficacy and tolerability of these agents was proven and confirmed in their daily practice.
Conclusions
French GPs are well aware of the health and socioeconomic burdens resulting from RRTIs, as well as the risk of antibiotic overuse. They have a prevention-oriented approach, implement preventive measures when possible and prescribe products for prevention.
“…Despite these shortfalls clinicians working in primary care with POCT for CRP held positive views about using CRP to guide clinical decision making (Wood et al, 2011). This was further reported by Anthierens et al (2014) and Cals et al (2009b) where clinicians felt that the CRP test decreased clinical uncertainty and supported nonprescribing decisions.…”
Acute cough is one of the most common illnesses in the UK with an estimated 48 million cases per annum. The majority of these presentations are thought to be of viral aetiology and self-limiting in nature, yet some studies report antibiotic prescription rates of approximately 65% in the UK. Clincians' decision-making process can be influenced by both patient expectations and difficulty in differentiating between viral and bacterial aetiologies by clinical examination alone. Despite warnings about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from the World Health Organization, clinicians in the UK continue to have high prescription rates for acute cough presentations in comparison to other developed health care systems. This article will consider the feasibility, efficacy, benefits and limitations of using point-of-care testing (POCT) of C-reactive protein (CRP) within primary care in the United Kingdom to help inform management of acute cough.
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