Optimizing Antibiotic Prescribing for Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in German Primary Care: Results of the Regional Intervention Study CHANGE-3 and the Nested cRCT.

Within primary care, acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are the most common reason for prescribing antibiotics. The aim of the CHANGE-3 study was to investigate how antibiotic prescribing for non-complicated ARTIs can be reduced to a reasonable level. The trial was conducted as a prospective study consisting of a regional public awareness intervention in two regions of Germany and a nested cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) of a complex implementation strategy.

[Acute respiratory tract infections and antibiotic prescriptions: What are patients' expectations?].

Introduction: The use of antibiotics in human medicine is partly responsible for the global increase in antibiotic resistance. Significant reductions in antibiotic prescribing were realised through educational campaigns, communication training and prescribing feedback. Based on data from the cluster-randomised CHANGE-3 trial, the present analysis focuses on the question of patient expectations for an antibiotic in acute respiratory infections.

[Acute respiratory tract infections and antibiotic prescriptions: What are patients' expectations?].

Introduction: The use of antibiotics in human medicine is partly responsible for the global increase in antibiotic resistance. Significant reductions in antibiotic prescribing were realised through educational campaigns, communication training and prescribing feedback. Based on data from the cluster-randomised CHANGE-3 trial, the present analysis focuses on the question of patient expectations for an antibiotic in acute respiratory infections.

Converting habits of antibiotic use for respiratory tract infections in German primary care - study protocol of the cluster-randomized controlled CHANGE-3 trial.

Background: The overuse of antibiotics is a major cause for the worldwide rise of antibiotic resistance. Although it is well known that acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) are mainly caused by viruses and are often self limiting, antibiotics are too frequently prescribed in primary care. CHANGE-3 examines whether a complex intervention focusing on improving communication and provision of prescribing feedback reduces antibiotic use in patients suffering from ARTI.