Table 23Effectiveness of interventions in improving antibiotic prescribing by respiratory tract infection type

Intervention CategoryAcute Otitis MediaBronchitisPharyngitisSinusitis
Patient and clinician education+MixedMixed
Patient education-+
Clinician education++-
Electronic decision support+++
Delayed prescribing+
CRP testing+
Procalcitonin testing+
Rapid strep testing+
Combination of patient and provider education plus audit and feedback−a
Combination of physician education, patient education, and audit and feedback+++
Combination of physician education, patient education, and education on and access to rapid tests and CRP test+++
Adding clinician communication training to clinician education-+
Adding an educational leaflet for patients to a suggestion to delay prescription filling+

CRP = C-reactive protein

a

Ineffective in children with pharyngitis.

+ means at least low-strength evidence of effectiveness; - means at least low-strength evidence of ineffectiveness; blank cells mean evidence not reported by diagnosis.

From: Discussion

Cover of Improving Antibiotic Prescribing for Uncomplicated Acute Respiratory Tract Infections
Improving Antibiotic Prescribing for Uncomplicated Acute Respiratory Tract Infections [Internet].
Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, No. 163.
McDonagh M, Peterson K, Winthrop K, et al.
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