Evaluating a Two-Part Approach to Improve Antibiotic Use for Respiratory Infections in Primary Care

What this Trial Is About

Antimicrobial resistance is a major global health threat, particularly due to inappropriate antibiotic use in primary care where most antibiotics in France are prescribed. This trial evaluates a combined approach to improve antibiotic prescribing for respiratory infections, aiming to reduce treatment duration. The study compares usual care with a new bimodal intervention involving better communication about respiratory viruses and stronger collaboration between general practitioners and pharmacists. The trial includes six primary care practices randomized into two groups. The intervention group uses a Viral Infection Prescription Tool to reduce unnecessary antibiotic starts and implements a pharmacist-led review protocol to ensure prescribed antibiotic durations follow guidelines. Pharmacists discuss any non-compliant prescriptions with prescribers to adjust treatment lengths. The control group continues standard patient management without these interventions. Participants are patients consulting for upper or lower respiratory tract infections such as angina, bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinusitis. Researchers measure the total number of antibiotic treatment days prescribed at the time of prescription. The study involves ongoing monitoring of treatment durations and collaboration effects, with the goal of improving antibiotic use in primary care settings.

Impact of a Multimodal Intervention on Antibiotic Prescribing for Respiratory Infections in Primary Care