NCT05557214

Reducing Unnecessary Antibiotic Prescriptions in Primary Healthcare in Saskatchewan by Identifying High Prescribers

• Status: Withdrawn
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 0 (actual)
• Sponsor: Saskatchewan Health Authority - Regina Area · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: —
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Approximately 90% of antibiotics are prescribed in primary healthcare (PHC) in Canada (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2020), making this an important sector for antimicrobial stewardship. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) represent a common indication in PHC for which antibiotics are often prescribed unnecessarily (Leis et al, 2020; Schwartz et al., 2020). Reducing unnecessary antibiotic treatment in this sector is a vital part of contributing to minimizing the global burden of antibiotic resistance. The goal of this research project is to reduce the number of antibiotic prescriptions among family physicians identified as high prescribers in Saskatchewan. To achieve this, the investigators will send letters to the top 25th percentile of high prescribers in PHC. The letters will contain data indicating the prescribers high antimicrobial usage as well as guidance for reducing unnecessary prescriptions and promoting appropriate lengths of prescriptions for upper respiratory tract infections.

Conditions

• Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Audit and Feedback Letter	Physicians in the Audit and Feedback Letter Arm will receive an initial letter indicating their high prescriber status with guidance on reducing unnecessary antimicrobial use. They will also receive a follow-up letter at the 6 month mark indicating any change in prescribing habits. There will be a study closure letter mailed at the 12 month mark.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-05-01
• Primary completion: 2024-05-01
• Completion: 2024-05-01
• First posted: 2022-09-27
• Last updated: 2023-04-13