title: GPs' views in five European countries of interventions to promote prudent antibiotic use.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A variety of interventions have been developed to promote a more prudent use of antibiotics by implementing clinical guidelines. It is not yet clear which are most acceptable and feasible for implementation across a wide range of contexts. Previous research has been confined mainly to examining views of individual interventions in a national context.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore GPs' views and experiences of strategies to promote a more prudent use of antibiotics, across five countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative study using thematic and framework analysis in general practices in Belgium, France, Poland, Spain, and the UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-two semi-structured interviews explored GPs' views and experiences of strategies aimed at promoting a more prudent use of antibiotics. Interviews were carried out in person or over the telephone, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English where necessary for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Themes were remarkably consistent across the countries. GPs had a preference for interventions that allowed discussion and comparison with local colleagues, which helped them to identify how their practice could improve. Other popular components of interventions included the use of near-patient tests to reduce diagnostic uncertainty, and the involvement of other health professionals to increase their responsibility for prescribing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study findings could be used to inform future interventions to improve their acceptability to GPs. Consistency in views across countries indicates the potential for development of an intervention that could be implemented on a European scale.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. sktc1o07@soton.ac.uk
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tonkin-Crine
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yardley
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coenen
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Vandellos
authors.forename: Jaroslaw
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krawczyk
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Touboul
authors.forename: Theo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Verheij
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Little
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents