Title of the publicationImpact of guidelines on ambulatory pediatric antibiotic prescriptions
Abstract

Introduction
The emergence of antibiotics resistance as a major public health threat has led, in France as in other countries, to the establishment of “antibiotics plans” based in part on practice guidelines. The objectives of this study were to determine the structure (number, causes, distribution of compounds) of antibiotic prescriptions by infectious diseases pediatricians (belonging to a pediatric infectious diseases research group), to check their compliance with guidelines and compare their prescriptions to other French pediatricians and general practitioners (GPs).

Patients and methods
In a survey on acute otitis media (AOM), outpatient pediatricians reported prospectively from October 2013 to February 2014 all antibiotics prescribed and the reasons for these prescriptions. These results were compared with prescription data from a panel of other pediatricians and GPs in France (IMS Health panels).

Results
Between October 2013 and February 2014, 27 pediatricians from the Infectious Disease Pediatricians Group conducted 54,212 visits, 10.7 % of which resulted in antibiotic prescriptions, all diseases combined, compared to 12 % for other pediatricians and 21 % for GPs in the same period. AOM was the leading cause of prescriptions for infectious disease pediatricians and panel pediatricians, and GPs (respectively, 72.6 %, 33 %, and 25 %). Amoxicillin was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic (respectively, 71.7 %, 49.9 %, and 28.2 %). Cephalosporins were prescribed in 6.4 % of cases by infectious disease pediatricians versus 19 % for panel pediatricians and 19.9 % for GPs.

Conclusion
The prescriptions of infectious disease pediatricians are in accordance with the French guidelines. The differences with the IMS data justify the need for continuous medical training and recommendations to promote these guidelines.

DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.arcped.2015.03.003
Name of the first authorSellam, Aurélie
Year of publication2015
Study design of the publicationOther study design
If other study design, please specifyProspective
Method for data collection and analysis
  • Qualitative data - Qualitative data were used during the intervention
Qualitative data - Qualitative 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