Validation of the eHealthResp online course for pharmacists and physicians: A Delphi method approach

Marta Estrela,Fátima Roque,Tânia Magalhães Silva,Maruxa Zapata-Cachafeiro,Adolfo Figueiras,Maria Teresa Herdeiro

doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111739

Abstract

FrameworkThe inappropriate use of antibiotics for respiratory tract infections is dispersed worldwide, thus being a strong contributor to antibiotic resistances. As the use of educational interventions among health practitioners is shown to have an impact on judicious antibiotic use, an online course (eHealthResp) has been developed, especially targeted to pharmacists and physicians. Thus, the main goal of this study is to validate the contents of the online course eHealthResp. MethodsThis two-round Delphi study involved the recruitment of a multidisciplinary panel (n = 19), to which the questionnaires of the first round were sent. After the first round, a report summing up the results has been forwarded to the panel, along with a new, reformulated version of the questionnaire. ResultsAfter the two rounds of the Delphi process, consensus was evaluated. Six clinical cases and fifty-one treatments obtained minor consensus [60–75%] or full consensus (≥75%). The question on antibiotic practice has obtained a consensus >90% on both rounds. ConclusionsThe validation of the contents based on experts’ consensus has been an essential approach to improve eHealthResp’s online course, as valuable feedback has been provided by the panel on both rounds.

Highlights

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is currently one of the major Public Health threats worldwide, having as leading cause of new bacterial resistance mechanisms the inappropriate use of antibiotics [1,2]
In response to this global public health threat, several national and inter national actions and initiatives have been developed in recent years aiming to strengthen health systems and surveillance, reduce antibiotics misuse, and improve ABR prevention [1,2]
Studies have demonstrated the positive impact that e-health tools have on antibiotic prescription and on its conscientious use, namely when directed to prescribing by healthcare professionals and respiratory tract infections management [14]

Summary

Introduction

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is currently one of the major Public Health threats worldwide, having as leading cause of new bacterial resistance mechanisms the inappropriate use of antibiotics [1,2]. In response to this global public health threat, several national and inter national actions and initiatives have been developed in recent years aiming to strengthen health systems and surveillance, reduce antibiotics misuse, and improve ABR prevention [1,2]. Studies have demonstrated the positive impact that e-health tools have on antibiotic prescription and on its conscientious use, namely when directed to prescribing by healthcare professionals and respiratory tract infections management [14]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion