The STOP-AB trial protocol: efficacy and safety of discontinuing patient antibiotic treatment when physicians no longer consider it necessary.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Since 2011, the Spanish Society of Family Medicine has recommended general practitioners (GPs) to ask their patients to stop taking antibiotics when they suspect a viral infection. However, this practice is seldom used because uncertainty about diagnosis, and fear of consequences of discontinuing antibiotic therapy, as well as perceived pressure to continue prescribing antibiotics and potential conflict with patients are more of a concern for GPs than antibiotic resistance. The main objective of this study is to determine whether discontinuation of antibiotic therapy when a GP no longer considers it necessary has any impact on the number of days with severe symptoms.

Methods and analysis

This is a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled clinical trial. Th

SUBMITTER: Llor C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5726137 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature