Modes of presentation and utilization of antibiotic guidance - an attitude survey among providers and users in the North West of England: Category: Lesson in Microbiology & Infection Control

Abstract

Background: Locally formulated antibiotic guidance, taking into account current resistance profiles of key pathogens, is fundamental to prudent prescribing. However there is uncertainty about how this guidance is best presented and whether this has any impact on uptake by its target audience. A survey was conducted among the microbiologists and antibiotic pharmacists (providers) and junior doctors (users) to assess attitudes about their current local guidance. Providers were asked about main mode of presentation, perceived blocks to its uptake and desirable features of future upgrades. Users were asked how easy it was to access and use the guidance and how often they used it, whether they had received any induction on it and if they felt they had adequate background knowledge of microbiology. Methods: An electronic survey was forwarded to providers and users among hospitals in the northwest of England. A total of 36 providers (23 microbiologists, and 13 antibiotic pharmacists) and 236 users responded. The provider survey provided data from 19 hospitals while only 8 hospitals had ≤10 user respondents. Hospitals with <10 user responses were excluded from any site based user analysis.