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. 2019 Spring;10(2):132-141.
doi: 10.22088/cjim.10.2.132.

Awareness and perception of multidrug-resistant organisms and antimicrobial therapy among internists vs. surgeons of different specialties: Results from the German MR2 Survey

Philipp J Spachmann  1 , Matthias May  2 , Malte W Vetterlein  3 , Hans-Martin Fritsche  1 , Steffen Steffen  4 , Martin Schostak  4 , Florian M Wagenlehner  5 , Maximilian Burger  1 , Karsten-Henrich Weylandt  6 , Bernd Salzberger  7 , Sabine D Brookman-May  8 , Christian Gilfrich  2 ; MR2 study group
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Awareness and perception of multidrug-resistant organisms and antimicrobial therapy among internists vs. surgeons of different specialties: Results from the German MR2 Survey

Philipp J Spachmann et al. Caspian J Intern Med. 2019 Spring.

Abstract

Background: Recently, antibiotic resistance rates have risen substantially and care for patients infected with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) has become a common problem in most in - and outpatient settings. The objectives of the study were to compare the awareness, perception, and knowledge of MDRO and rational antibiotic use between physicians from different medical specialties in German hospitals.

Methods: A 35-item questionnaire was sent to specialists in internal medicine (internists), gynecologists, urologists, and general surgeons (non-internists) in 18 German hospitals. Likert-scales were used to evaluate awareness and perception of personal performance regarding care for patients infected with MDRO and rational use of antibiotics. Additionally, two items assessing specific knowledge in antibiotic therapy were included. The impact of medical specialty on four predetermined endpoints was assessed by multivariate logistic regression.

Results: 43.0% (456/1061) of recipients responded. Both internists and non-internists had low rates of training in antibiotic stewardship. 50.8% of internists and 58.6% of non-internists had attended special training in rational antibiotic use or care for patients infected with MDRO in the 12 months prior to the study. Internists deemed themselves more confidently to choose the indications for screening patients for colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (P=0.004) and to initiate adequate infection control measures (P=0.002) than other specialties. However, there was no significant difference between internists and other specialists regarding the two items assessing specific knowledge in antibiotic therapy and infection control.

Conclusion: Among the study participants, a considerable need for advanced training in the study subjects was seen, regardless of the medical specialty.

Keywords: Antibiotic Policy; Antibiotic Resistance; Antibiotic prescription; Multidrug Resistance; Survey Study; Urinary Tract Infection.

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Conflict of interest statement

F Wagenlehner has served as a paid consultant for Achaogen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Bionorica, Cubist, Galenus, GSK, Janssen, Leo-Pharma, Merlion, MSD, OM-Pharma, Pierre Fabre, Rosen Pharma, and Zambon, has received payment for presenting at continuing medical education events from Astellas, AstraZeneca, Bionorica Cubist, Galenus, Leo-Pharma, Merlion, MSD, OM-Pharma, Pierre Fabre, Rosen Pharma, Pfizer and Zambon, has also received payment for carrying out clinical trials on behalf of Achaogen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Bionorica, Calixa, Cerexa, Cubist, The German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft), the European Association of Urology, Galenus, The Hessen State Ministry of Higher Education, Research and the Arts, Merlion, OM-Pharma, Rosen Pharma, and Zambon. The other authors have no conflicts to report. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Frequency of continuing medical education regarding multi-resistant pathogens (MRP) and antibiotic prescription within the last 12 months, stratified according to internists vs. non-internists
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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