Audit and feedback, A&F, means that doctors receive feedback on their own practice and advice on the best possible practice. A&F can be an effective method for improving the use of medicines, and has already been introduced on a large scale in Norway to achieve more correct use of antibiotics in the primary health care service. JPIAMR-PAAN (Joint Programming Initiative on Antimicrobial Resistance - Primary care Antibiotic Audit and Feedback Network) is a network of international researchers in the areas of antibiotic stewardship, primary health care and implementation science, with a focus on A&F expertise. Countries such as Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States are represented in the network. The network is coordinated from Canada and Norway.
Main objectives:
- Develop best practice tools and resources to conduct antibiotic A&F-interventions in primary care.
- Define research priorities specific to antibiotic A&F to advance the field forward.
Background
Rising rates of antimicrobial resistance are partly due to the overuse of antibiotics. More than 90 % of antibiotics is used in primary care by physicians, dentists or nurses. Unnecessary antibiotic use ranges between 25-50% of all antibiotic prescribing.
A&F can be effective in influencing prescribing behavior. A&F, in this context, means collecting antibiotic prescribing data and giving feedback on his/hers prescribing behavior compared to other prescribers.
Implementing A&F in primary care can benefit use of tools and resources to optimize the effect of an intervention.
It is necessary with new research on A&F that builds on existing knowledge. Important questions remain, such as optimal data for A&F, methods to optimize how feedback is given and sustainability of A&F programs over time.