Digital prescription tool to help GPs follow antibiotic guidelines in Belgian primary care
Impact Evaluation of a Prescription Search Support (PSS) for Antimicrobials Using a Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomized Design in Belgian Primary Care
This project will test whether a digital Prescription Support System helps general practitioners in Belgium prescribe antibiotics more in line with national guidelines.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 48 (estimated) |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | KU Leuven Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant) |
| Trial ID | NCT07347015 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in primary care contributes to antimicrobial resistance, especially for self-limiting infections. The intervention is a Prescription Support System (PSS) that presents Belgian BAPCOC guideline recommendations in a user-friendly decision tree integrated into compatible electronic health record systems. The implementation is being rolled out to participating GP practices using a stepped-wedge cluster randomized design, with practices switching from usual care to the PSS at scheduled intervals. Primary outcomes include changes in antibiotic prescribing for common ambulatory infections and measures of tool uptake and usability.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Patients of general practices in Belgium that use a compatible EHR and agree to activate the PSS, particularly those presenting with common infections such as sore throat, bronchitis, sinusitis, ear infections, and urinary tract infections, are the intended population covered by the intervention.
Not a fit: Patients seen in practices without compatible EHRs, those treated in hospital settings, or those with severe infections clearly requiring antibiotics are unlikely to receive benefit from this primary care PSS implementation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the PSS could reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in primary care, lowering patient harms from side effects and contributing to reduced antimicrobial resistance.
How similar studies have performed: Previous randomized and implementation studies of clinical decision support in primary care have shown modest reductions in inappropriate antibiotic prescribing, and this project builds on a prior mixed-methods usability study of the same PSS.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * General practices in Belgium using compatible EHR systems. * Willingness to use and activate the PSS by giving consent. * Agreement to participate in the study, provided signed informed consent form is in place. Exclusion Criteria: * Practices using an EHR system that solely allows a single sign-on to the standalone PSS. * Practices already using a similar PSS or participating in overlapping projects.
Where this trial is running
Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant
- GPs associated with KU Leuven — Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.