Optimal Implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship in General Practice

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Antimicrobial stewardship activities delivered through Virtual Network: Participants will receive online self-paced education modules regarding antimicrobial interventions, guided self-audit and reflection regarding intervention use, and reinforcement podcasts (\~7 hours). Participants in the Virtual Newtwork arm will primarily receive these interventions online.

Antimicrobial stewardship activities delivered through Integrated Network activities: Participants will receive online self-paced education modules regarding antimicrobial interventions, guided self-audit and reflection regarding intervention use, and reinforcement podcasts (\~7 hours). Participants in the Integrated Network arm will primarily receive these interventions face-to-face and active online activities.

Study summary

This trial aims to increase the use of antimicrobial stewardship resources when treating patients with respiratory tract infections. This trial is set in Australian general practices (family medicine or primary care).

The main question it aims to answer is which type of implementation activities increase the use of antimicrobial stewardship resources. Researchers will compare doctors who receive face-to-face implementation activities (the Integrated Network group) to those who received virtual or online activities (the Virtual Network group). The primary hypothesis is that there will be a difference in how often interventions are used

Participating doctors will be asked to record how often they use antimicrobial stewardship resources and which interventions they prefer. Participating practices will also provide researchers data on how many patients the doctors see.

Patients with respiratory tract infections who saw a participating doctor will be asked to give feedback on their experience using surveys. A subgroup of doctors, practice staff, and patients will interviewed about their experience in the study.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change in use of antimicrobial interventions per 100 consults — From baseline for 5 months, from post intervention for 5 months
  This score is derived from the number of times an intervention is used (measured using the AMS Toolbox online form) divided by the number of participants a doctor sees (measured using an audit). Measuring periods are fortnightly. The eligible range is 0-100, with higher values indicating a better outcome.

Trial sites (4)