Cameron, DW, Panesar, P, Jones, A, Aldous, A, Kranzer, K, Halpin, E, Fifer, H, Macrae, B, Curtis, C and Pollara, G. 2016. Attitudes and Behaviours to Antimicrobial Prescribing following introduction of a Smartphone App. [Online]. PLOS ONE. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0154202.s004
Cameron, DW, Panesar, P, Jones, A, Aldous, A, Kranzer, K, Halpin, E, Fifer, H, Macrae, B, Curtis, C and Pollara, G. Attitudes and Behaviours to Antimicrobial Prescribing following introduction of a Smartphone App [Internet]. PLOS ONE; 2016. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0154202.s004
Cameron, DW, Panesar, P, Jones, A, Aldous, A, Kranzer, K, Halpin, E, Fifer, H, Macrae, B, Curtis, C and Pollara, G (2016). Attitudes and Behaviours to Antimicrobial Prescribing following introduction of a Smartphone App. [Data Collection]. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0154202.s004
Description
Our hospital replaced the format for delivering portable antimicrobial prescribing guidance from a paper-based pocket guide to a smartphone application (app). We used this opportunity to assess the relationship between its use and the attitudes and behaviours of antimicrobial prescribers. We used 2 structured cross-sectional questionnaires issued just prior to and 3 months following the launch of the smartphone app. Ordinal Likert scale responses to both frequencies of use and agreement statements permitted quantitative assessment of the relationship between variables. The smartphone app was used more frequently than the pocket guide it replaced (p < 0.01), and its increased use was associated with sentiments that the app was useful, easy to navigate and its content relevant. Users who used the app more frequently were more likely to agree that the app encouraged them to challenge inappropriate prescribing by their colleagues (p = 0.001) and were more aware of the importance of antimicrobial stewardship (p = 0.005). Reduced use of the app was associated with agreement that senior physicians' preferences for antimicrobial prescribing would irrespectively overrule guideline recommendations (p = 0.0002). Smartphone apps are an effective and acceptable format to deliver guidance on antimicrobial prescribing. Our findings suggest that they may empower users to challenge incorrect prescribing, breaking well-established behaviours, and thus supporting vital stewardship efforts in an era of increased antimicrobial resistance. Future work will need to focus on the direct impact on drug prescriptions as well as identifying barriers to implementing smartphone apps in other clinical settings.
Data capture method | Questionnaire: Fixed form | ||||||||
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Date (Date published in a 3rd party system) | 25 April 2016 | ||||||||
Geographical area covered (offline during plugin upgrade) |
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Language(s) of written materials | English |
Data Creators | Cameron, DW, Panesar, P, Jones, A, Aldous, A, Kranzer, K, Halpin, E, Fifer, H, Macrae, B, Curtis, C and Pollara, G |
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LSHTM Faculty/Department | Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health > Dept of Infectious Disease Epidemiology (-2023) |
Participating Institutions | University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom, Horizon Strategic Partners |
Funders |
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Date Deposited | 03 May 2016 12:59 |
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Last Modified | 04 Oct 2024 10:54 |
Publisher | PLOS ONE |
Downloads
Data / Code
Filename: S3_QuestionnaireResponses.XLSX
Description: Questionnaire responses
Content type: Dataset
File size: 33kB
Mime-Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet
Filename: S4_MicroGuide_App_Description.XLSX
Description: Description of MicroGuide app content
Content type: Dataset
File size: 12kB
Mime-Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet
Data Visualisation
Filename: S1_UseFrequency.TIF
Description: Use frequency of antimicrobial prescribing guidelines before and after introduction of the smartphone app
Content type: Still Image
File size: 630kB
Mime-Type: image/tiff
Study Instrument
Filename: S1_Pre-app_Questionnaire.DOCX
Description: Pre-app questionnaire
Content type: Textual content
File size: 25kB
Mime-Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
Filename: S2_Post-app_Questionnaire.DOCX
Description: Post-app questionnaire
Content type: Textual content
File size: 28kB
Mime-Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document