Title of the publicationGuidelines for management of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis: Impact on Quebec physicians’ prescriptions for antibiotics
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of widely distributed
guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) on physician prescribing patterns.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The overall numbers of
prescriptions were compared between Quebec and the rest of
Canada (excluding Quebec) using IMS Health Canada Canadian
Disease and Therapeutic Index and CompuScript data on the
antibiotics use for ABRS for the 3-month period immediately
following the distribution of the guidelines and the corresponding
period the previous year.
RESULTS: In comparison to the corresponding period during
the previous year, antibiotic prescriptions for ABRS decreased
5.5% overall in Quebec compared with a 30.1% increase recorded
in Canada excluding Quebec.
CONCLUSION: While the reduction in antibiotics use noted
may be multifactorial, it nevertheless suggests that it may be able
to affect physician prescribing habits.
SIGNIFICANCE: Knowledge of the effectiveness of this
method of distribution of guidelines could be used to plan more
effective means of distribution of future guidelines.

DOIhttps://doi:10.1016/j.otohns.2006.11.002
Name of the first authorDuval, Melanie
Year of publication2007
Study design of the publicationTime-series analysis
Method for data collection and analysis
  • Quantitative data - Quantitative data were used during the intervention
Quantitative data - Quantitative data were used during the intervention
Sector
  • Human - All activities regarding organisations and individuals involved in health products and services
Sub-sectorSub-sectors are further units of demarcation within a sector E.g. awareness campaign from veterinarians to cat owners about toxoplasmosis drug resistance and transmission of resistant bacteria: ANIMAL, PETS
Subsector (human)
  • Healthcare delivery
Healthcare delivery