Declan T Bradley1,2, Sarah E Allen3,4, Helen Quinn5, Brenda Bradley5, Matthew Dolan5. 1. Centre for Public Health, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Block A, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosvenor Road, Belfast, UK. 2. Public Health Agency, 12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast, UK. 3. Public Sector Innovation Lab, Department of Finance, Clare House, 303 Airport Road, Belfast, UK. 4. Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, Belfast, UK. 5. Health and Social Care Board, 12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Reducing antibiotic prescribing is a priority for health authorities responsible for preventing antimicrobial resistance. Northern Ireland has high rates of antimicrobial use. We implemented a social norm feedback intervention and evaluated its impact. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the size and duration of the effect of a social norm feedback letter to GPs who worked in the 20% of practices with the highest antimicrobial prescribing. METHODS: The letter was sent in October 2017 to 221 GPs in 67 practices. To assess the effect of the intervention, we used a sharp non-parametric regression discontinuity (RD) design, with prescribing rates in the four calendar quarters following the intervention as the outcome variables. RESULTS: In the quarter following the intervention (October to December 2017) there was a change of -25.7 (95% CI = -42.5 to -8.8, P = 0.0028) antibiotic items per 1000 Specific Therapeutic group Age-sex Related Prescribing Units (STAR-PU). At 1 year, the coefficient was -58.7 (95% CI = -116.7 to -0.7, P = 0.047) antibiotic items per 1000 STAR-PU. The greatest change occurred soon after the intervention. Approximately 18900 fewer antibiotic items were prescribed than if the intervention had not been made (1% of Northern Ireland's annual primary care antibiotic prescribing). CONCLUSIONS: A social norm feedback intervention reduced antibiotic prescribing in the intervention practices. The diminishing effect over time suggests the need for more frequent feedback. The RD method allowed measurement of the effectiveness of an intervention that was delivered as part of normal business, without a randomized trial.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Reducing antibiotic prescribing is a priority for health authorities responsible for preventing antimicrobial resistance. Northern Ireland has high rates of antimicrobial use. We implemented a social norm feedback intervention and evaluated its impact. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the size and duration of the effect of a social norm feedback letter to GPs who worked in the 20% of practices with the highest antimicrobial prescribing. METHODS: The letter was sent in October 2017 to 221 GPs in 67 practices. To assess the effect of the intervention, we used a sharp non-parametric regression discontinuity (RD) design, with prescribing rates in the four calendar quarters following the intervention as the outcome variables. RESULTS: In the quarter following the intervention (October to December 2017) there was a change of -25.7 (95% CI = -42.5 to -8.8, P = 0.0028) antibiotic items per 1000 Specific Therapeutic group Age-sex Related Prescribing Units (STAR-PU). At 1 year, the coefficient was -58.7 (95% CI = -116.7 to -0.7, P = 0.047) antibiotic items per 1000 STAR-PU. The greatest change occurred soon after the intervention. Approximately 18900 fewer antibiotic items were prescribed than if the intervention had not been made (1% of Northern Ireland's annual primary care antibiotic prescribing). CONCLUSIONS: A social norm feedback intervention reduced antibiotic prescribing in the intervention practices. The diminishing effect over time suggests the need for more frequent feedback. The RD method allowed measurement of the effectiveness of an intervention that was delivered as part of normal business, without a randomized trial.
Authors: Natalie Gold; Anna Sallis; Ayoub Saei; Rohan Arambepola; Robin Watson; Sarah Bowen; Matija Franklin; Tim Chadborn Journal: Trials Date: 2022-06-18 Impact factor: 2.728
Authors: Rachel M Zetts; Andrea Stoesz; Andrea M Garcia; Jason N Doctor; Jeffrey S Gerber; Jeffrey A Linder; David Y Hyun Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2020-07-14 Impact factor: 2.692