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.
DESIGN: Qualitative analysis of compulsory post-audit group report data collection forms and individual practitioners' post-audit evaluation forms.
SUBJECTS: Information was collected from 175 general dental practitioners in the North West of England who participated in the audit.
METHOD: 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.
CONCLUSION: 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.