title: Antibiotic prescribing in primary care: The need for interprofessional collaboration.
abstract: Patients with self-limiting respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are frequently seen in general practice. Although antibiotics are ineffective for these conditions, they are often prescribed by general practitioners (GPs), and perceived patient expectations for an antibiotic plays an important role in the decision to prescribe one. Superfluous use of antibiotics contributes to antimicrobial resistance. High numbers of nurse prescribers work alongside GPs and these prescribers see education and self-management advice as central to the care of these patients. Multi-faceted interventions, designed to reduce antibiotic prescribing, only exist for GPs. Such interventions should foster interprofessional collaboration and, as such, consider the needs and experiences of the different prescribers, and the views of patients. This paper outlines a research study in which a questionnaire will be distributed to patients who consult with a nurse prescriber to see whether their expectations influence their satisfaction with the consultation outcome. Findings will guide the development of an interprofessional intervention designed to promote collaborative practice and appropriate and responsible antibiotic prescribing in primary care.
authors.affiliation: School of Healthcare Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University , Cardiff , UK .
authors.forename: Molly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Courtenay
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rowbotham
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peters
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009726:Nurses / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Antimicrobial resistance; interprofessional collaboration; nurse prescribing; self-limiting respiratory tract infections