Australians are high consumers of antibiotics with approximately one in every two Australians collecting at least one antibiotic prescription each year. Most antibiotics for human consumption are prescribed in primary care. Australian GPs overprescribe antibiotics, especially for acute self-limiting respiratory tract infections. Given that unnecessary use drives antibiotic resistance, it is important to reduce the volume prescribed in primary care. “Delayed prescribing” or “wait and see prescribing” is a strategy that has been shown to reduce antibiotic use compared to immediate antibiotic prescribing, with similar patient satisfaction.
In this webinar we present the evidence for delayed prescribing and discuss the different strategies that have been trialled. We draw upon examples from human general practice and invite participants to share and inspire delayed prescribing techniques in the care for companion animals.
Recording from 16.07.2019
Professor Mieke van Driel is Chair of General Practice Head of the Primary Care Clinical Unit in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland. She is an experienced primary care researcher with an extensive track record in the generation, translation and implementation of research in general practice. This includes conducting clinical trials and trials of complex behaviour change interventions, such as judicious use of antibiotics. She has published widely on the review and critical appraisal of evidence with a view of increasing its relevance and utility in clinical practice. She has recently led the qualitative evaluations of a number of interventions aimed at improving rational prescribing of antibiotics in primary care. She is a chief investigator on a number of NHMRC projects and an ongoing cohort study of GP registrars (the Registrar Clinical Encounters in Training – ReCEnT study), which maps the training environment of our future workforce and simultaneously serves as a quality improvement and capacity building tool. Mieke has worked across 5 continents generating a wealth of experience in different health systems. In addition to her academic position she works as a general practitioner in an Aboriginal Medical Service.
