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Availability, perceptions, and characteristics of antibiograms among Illinois pediatricians
Kathryn M Spiekerman1, Sameer J Patel2, Rupal Patel3
1School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago.
Insights
Pediatricians lack access to pediatric-specific antibiograms, hindering judicious antibiotic use. An electronic regional antibiogram could improve antibiotic resistance knowledge and prescribing practices.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Public Health
Background:
- Judicious antibiotic prescribing is crucial in pediatrics, yet educational resources are scarce.
- Antibiotic resistance patterns necessitate localized data for effective treatment.
- Current resources for antibiotic stewardship are primarily hospital-based.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the availability, characteristics, and perceptions of antibiograms among pediatricians.
- To identify the need for and preferences regarding infectious diseases (ID)-related educational resources.
- To explore pediatricians' views on utilizing a regional antibiogram for improved antibiotic prescribing.
Main Methods:
- Anonymous electronic survey distributed to Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) members.
- Inclusion criteria: completed pediatrics residency and prescribed antibiotics within the past month.
- Data analysis of survey responses regarding antibiogram access, educational resource use, and preferences.
Main Results:
- Only 25% of surveyed pediatricians had access to a pediatric-specific antibiogram.
- Access to antibiograms correlated with awareness of local and national antibiotic resistance patterns.
- Over 95% of respondents expressed willingness to use a regional electronic antibiogram.
Conclusions:
- A significant unmet need exists for accessible antibiotic stewardship resources for pediatricians.
- A regional electronic antibiogram is desired and could enhance antibiotic resistance awareness and empiric prescribing.
- Targeted educational interventions and resource development are needed to support judicious antibiotic use in pediatric practice.
Abstract:
Despite the enormous volume of antibiotics prescribed by pediatricians, resources to promote judicious antibiotic use are primarily limited to hospitals. The primary objective of this survey was to delineate the availability, characteristics, and perceptions of antibiograms among pediatricians. As a secondary objective, we sought to delineate the availability of other infectious diseases (ID)-related educational resources among pediatricians, the perceived need for additional resources, and their general educational preferences. We developed an anonymous electronic survey using the Research Electronic Data Capture tool, and it was sent via email to all members of the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP). Participants were excluded if they had not completed pediatrics residency or if they had not prescribed antibiotics in the past month. Of the 1,825 ICAAP members, 294 (16%) responded; of these, 239 (81%) were eligible and completed the survey. Of the 239 respondents, 139 (58%) had access to an antibiogram and 60 (25%) had access to a pediatric-specific antibiogram. Access to a pediatric-specific antibiogram was associated with subspecialty training (P=0.007) and practice location in Chicago (P<0.0001). Antibiogram access was associated with perceiving being informed about resistance patterns at the national (67% vs 54%, P=0.043) and local (76% vs 45%, P<0.0001) levels. Nearly all (95%) respondents would probably or definitely use a single antibiogram that compiled antibiotic resistance data from children with common infections throughout the region. More than 75% of respondents identified both the American Academy of Pediatrics Red Book and online medical resources among the top three most useful and most frequently accessed educational resources. In addition, 91% of respondents utilized smartphones/tablets. These data suggest that there is an unmet need for additional educational resources to guide antibiotic prescribing among Illinois pediatricians. In addition, an electronic regional antibiogram would be well received and could potentially improve knowledge of antibiotic resistance and empiric antibiotic use.
