Department’s research highlights how behaviour change can reduce antibiotic prescribing

Late last month, a noteworthy Irish research paper was published on the subject of reducing antibiotic prescription.

The paper, entitled ‘Changing behaviour: Reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescribing’, was the result of a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by the Department of Health, in conjunction with the University of Limerick.

International evidence across 22 international controlled trials and 23,000 patient consultations were evaluated for the study.

The results showed how behaviour change interventions reduced antibiotic prescribing by 21 per cent.

The findings support the need for policy changes to promote the use of proven strategies, while also refining those with potential, but less clear evidence. Education, communication training, point-of-care testing, and decision support tools are highlighted as effective measures, suggesting that these should be more widely integrated into the training and practices of GPs in Ireland.

The Department stated the paper would help to inform its ongoing work on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the top 10 threats to public health.

AMR poses a serious danger to patient safety by limiting treatment options for infections and has been linked to an estimated 215 deaths in a single year in Ireland. Additionally, AMR places a substantial financial strain on the State, with previous estimates suggesting it costs the health service €12 million annually.

Promoting AMR research is a strategic objective of the WHO Global Action Plan 2015 and Ireland’s second One Health Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2021-2025. Given a new Irish strategy is due to be developed soon, the research is timely.

“As we prepare for the development of the next One Health Action Plan, this paper adds to the growing body of data that will help to ensure that Ireland’s strategy is based on the best international evidence available,” according to Chief Nursing Officer, Ms Rachel Kenna.

The interim Chief Medical Officer, Prof Mary Horgan, admitted tackling AMR is a “complex cross-sectoral issue”.

“But this research provides valuable evidence of the important role of prescribers, showing how well-designed education and communication training for general practitioners (GPs), the use of decision support tools, and of delayed prescribing practices by GPs can reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.”

The fact this study was undertaken by the Department is heartening as it shows the issue is being taken seriously at an official level. And the findings reinforce the importance of a multi-faceted approach to addressing one of the most pressing health challenges of our time.