Tag: medicines

CHICO intervention helps GPs decide whether to prescribe antibiotics for children with respiratory infections

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Clinicians have found the ‘CHIldren with acute COugh’ (CHICO) intervention valuable in supporting decision-making around antibiotic prescribing and facilitating discussions with carers about concerns and treatment options, according to University of Bristol led research published in the British Journal of General Practice.

A young boy (18 months) with a nasty cough, coughing with his mouth open and tongue poking out

Childhood respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are common, often leading to unnecessary antibiotic use and contributing to antimicrobial resistance. The qualitative study aimed to explore how clinicians implemented the CHICO intervention, using interviews to understand its acceptability and use.

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Call to reduce repeat ‘within-episode’ antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory tract infections in primary care

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A new study exploring the use of repeat antibiotic prescriptions for the same respiratory tract infection (RTI) episode – known as repeat ‘within-episode’ prescriptions – in primary care has found high rates of their use in England, despite evidence that they are of little benefit. The study authors, from the Universities of Bristol and Bath, King’s College London, and University Medical Center Utrecht, are calling for a reduction in their use and to make them a target for antimicrobial stewardship interventions.

Pills scattered on a white table top next to a white pill container.

RTIs are one of the most common reasons people visit a GP in the UK. Many RTIs are caused by viruses and current primary care guidelines recommend a no or delayed antibiotic prescribing strategy in the vast majority of patients. Despite this, 54% of RTI consultations in UK primary care result in an antibiotic prescription, and RTIs account for 60% of antibiotic prescribing in primary care worldwide. As such, RTIs are one of the key drivers of antimicrobial resistance.

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Sharing prescription medications is common and a public health concern

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Sharing prescription medications is common and a public health concern, according to researchers at the Universities of Bristol and Sheffield, whose study investigating the behaviour was published in the British Journal of General Practice (BJGP) today [20 February].

Blister packs of pills of different colours and sizes.

The study reviewed data from 19 primary research studies. Prevalence of the behaviour occurring in a person’s lifetime ranged from 13% to 78% in the studies reviewed. Painkillers were found to be the most commonly shared, followed by antibiotics and allergy medications.

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