General dental practitioners' experiences of a collaborative clinical audit on antibiotic prescribing: a qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate general dental practitioners' experiences of a multi-collaborative antibiotic prescribing audit.


METHODS
Qualitative analysis of compulsory post-audit group report data collection forms and individual practitioners' post-audit evaluation forms.


METHODS
Information was collected from 175 general dental practitioners in the North West of England who participated in the audit.


METHODS
The general dental practitioners were divided into groups of 8-10 to undertake the audit. Information from compulsory post-audit group reports was transcribed and analysed. The information was categorised into a number of areas including changes in practice, patients' expectations, training and quality of service. On completion of the audit individual practitioners were asked to complete an evaluation form on the audit process.


RESULTS
141 (80.5%) individual evaluation forms were returned. Over 90% of GDPs felt that the audit process was easily understood and the majority of the practitioners thought the audit was worthwhile. Approximately 69% of participants felt that the audit had helped to change their antibiotic prescribing practices. Analysis of the post-audit group report data collection forms revealed more than 100 statements. The most common areas were changes required in practice, patients' expectations, increased training and quality of service.


CONCLUSIONS
The collaborative clinical audit project was seen to be a worthwhile learning experience by the participating general dental practitioners. The audit encouraged GDPs to change their antibiotic prescribing practices and thereby improve patient care. GDPs also highlighted the need for continuing education in the prescribing of antibiotics.
Palmer
N A O
NA
Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, University of Liverpool. NikolausPalmer@btinternet.com
Dailey
Y M
YM
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002983:Clinical Competence; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D019230:Dental Audit; D003729:Dental Care / Q000592:standards; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D003815:Dentists; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004498:Education, Dental, Continuing; D004739:England; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D011787:Quality of Health Care
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents