Use of point-of-care tests and antibiotic prescribing in sore throat and lower respiratory infections by general practitioners

Abstract

Introduction: This study was aimed at assessing general practitioners' (GP) reliance on patient history, examination findings and the influence of the utilisation of point-of-care tests (POCT) in antibiotic prescribing for sore throat and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI).

Methods: Audit-based study carried out in 2015. A group of GPs received an intervention six years earlier with provision of POCTs and another group of GPs acted as controls. Odds ratios for clinical variables predicting antibiotic prescribing were calculated by logistic regression analyses.

Results: A total of 238 GPs included 1906 patients with sore throat and 1970 LRTIs. A negative POCT result was negatively associated with antibiotic prescribing, with odds ratios ranging from 0.09 to 0.23. GPs using POCTs attached less weight to clinical criteria.

Conclusion: GPs using rapid tests are mainly influenced by POCT results in the decision to prescribe antibiotics. However, antibiotic prescribing is still observed with negative POCT results.

Keywords: Anti-bacterial agents; Antibióticos; Atención primaria; Inappropriate prescribing; Point-of-care testing; Predictive value of tests; Prescripción inadecuada; Primary health care; Pruebas de diagnóstico rápido; Valor predictivo de pruebas.