Patient information leaflets to reduce antibiotic use and reconsultation rates in general practice
Citation: de Bont EG, Alink M, Falkenberg FC, et al. Patient information leaflets to reduce antibiotic use and reconsultation rates in general practice: a systematic review. BMJ Open 2015;5(6):e007612.
What is this? The COVID-19 pandemic is placing a strain on health services. Existing research on reducing unnecessary antibiotic use and general practice reconsultations for minor illnesses might provide useful information for policy makers seeking to reduce the burden on healthcare systems.
In this systematic review, the authors searched for randomized trials and non-randomized studies of the effects of patient information leaflets on antibiotic use and reconsultation rates in general practice for common infections. They did not restrict their searches by language of publication and did the search in April 2014. They included 7 randomized trials and 1 non-randomized study (total: 3407 participants).
What works: The use of information leaflets in general practice consultations reduces antibiotic prescription by general practitioners, actual antibiotic use by patients, and patients’ intention to reconsult for future similar episodes of illness.
What doesn’t work: Nothing noted.
What’s uncertain: The effects of information leaflets on reconsultation rates in general practice are uncertain.