The impact of interventions to improve the quality of prescribing and use of antibiotics in primary care patients with respiratory tract infections: a systematic review protocol.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are the most common reason for primary care (PC) consultations and for antibiotic prescribing and use. The majority of RTIs have a viral aetiology however, and antibiotic consumption is ineffective and unnecessary. Inappropriate antibiotic use contributes greatly to antibiotic resistance (ABR) leading to complications, increased adverse events, reconsultations and costs. Improving antibiotic consumption is thus crucial to containing ABR, which has become an urgent priority worldwide. We will systematically review the evidence about interventions aimed at improving the quality of antibiotic prescribing and use for acute RTI.

Methods and analysis

We will include primary peer-reviewed and grey literature of studies conducted on i

SUBMITTER: Martinez-Gonzalez NA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5726136 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature