Antimicrobial Resistance Education in the Primary Care Setting

Background: Antimicrobial resistance has become a problem of epidemic proportions; however, patients believe antibiotics can treat any infection (National Committee for Quality Assurance [NCQA], 2011). Judicious prescribing practices are known to decrease antimicrobial resistance in the community (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2012). Purpose: Primary care providers (PCPs) are in a position to change current prescribing practices and patient beliefs regarding antimicrobials. This project focused on a PCP-facilitated educational intervention. Design/Methods: A quasi-experimental chart review performed over 3 months. PCPs were educated on CDC treatment guidelines for acute bronchitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, and the educational pamphlet. The PCPs provided a brief educational session with the pamphlet to patients presenting with upper respiratory infections (URIs). Sample: A convenience sample of patients 18-64 years old presenting with URI symptoms; data were collected on antibiotic prescriptions, patient demographics, comorbid diagnoses, and discharge diagnosis. Results: Antibiotic prescribing rates for patient's pre- to postintervention decreased significantly from 77.9% to 61.6% (1, N = 163) = 0.02, p < .05. Improved adherence to guidelines from pre- to postintervention for bronchitis was demonstrated yet no statistically significant improvement for pharyngitis and sinusitis. Conclusion: A PCP-facilitated educational intervention demonstrated an effective method to reduce antibiotic prescriptions for URIs in primary care.