Optimizing responsiveness to feedback about antibiotic prescribing in primary care: protocol for two interrelated randomized implementation trials with embedded process evaluations

Bibliographic Details
Title: Optimizing responsiveness to feedback about antibiotic prescribing in primary care: protocol for two interrelated randomized implementation trials with embedded process evaluations
Authors: Jennifer Shuldiner, Kevin L. Schwartz, Bradley J. Langford, Noah M. Ivers, On behalf of the Ontario Healthcare Implementation Laboratory study team
Source: Implementation Science, Vol 17, Iss 1, Pp 1-17 (2022)
Publisher Information: BMC, 2022.
Publication Year: 2022
Collection: LCC:Medicine (General)
Subject Terms: Audit and feedback, Antibiotic prescribing, Antimicrobial resistance, Process evaluation, Protocol, Medicine (General), R5-920
More Details: Abstract Background Audit and feedback (A&F) that shows how health professionals compare to those of their peers, can be an effective intervention to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing among family physicians. However, the most impactful design approach to A&F to achieve this aim is uncertain. We will test three design modifications of antibiotic A&F that could be readily scaled and sustained if shown to be effective: (1) inclusion of case-mix-adjusted peer comparator versus a crude comparator, (2) emphasizing harms, rather than lack of benefits, and (3) providing a viral prescription pad. Methods We will conduct two interrelated pragmatic randomized trials in January 2021. One trial will include family physicians in Ontario who have signed up to receive their MyPractice: Primary Care report from Ontario Health (“OH Trial”). These physicians will be cluster-randomized by practice, 1:1 to intervention or control. The intervention group will also receive a Viral Prescription Pad mailed to their office as well as added emphasis in their report on use of the pad. Ontario family physicians who have not signed up to receive their MyPractice: Primary Care report will be included in the other trial administered by Public Health Ontario (“PHO Trial”). These physicians will be allocated 4:1 to intervention or control. The intervention group will be further randomized by two factors: case-mix adjusted versus unadjusted comparator and emphasis or not on harms of antibiotics. Physicians in the intervention arm of this trial will receive one of four versions of a personalized antibiotic A&F letter from PHO. For both trials, the primary outcome is the antibiotic prescribing rate per 1000 patient visits, measured at 6 months post-randomization, the primary analysis will use Poisson regression and we will follow the intention to treat principle. A mixed-methods process evaluation will use surveys and interviews with family physicians to explore potential mechanisms underlying the observed effects, exploring targeted constructs including intention, self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, descriptive norms, and goal prioritization. Discussion This protocol describes the rationale and methodology of two interrelated pragmatic trials testing variations of theory-informed components of an audit and feedback intervention to determine how to optimize A&F interventions for antibiotic prescribing in primary care. Trial registration NCT04594200, NCT05044052. CIHR Grant ID: 398514
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1748-5908
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/1748-5908
DOI: 10.1186/s13012-022-01194-8
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/d7c3371d0d8b49e19008d2e5c816db68
Accession Number: edsdoj.7c3371d0d8b49e19008d2e5c816db68
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
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More Details
ISSN:17485908
DOI:10.1186/s13012-022-01194-8
Published in:Implementation Science
Language:English