Assessing the up-to-date management of recurrent urinary tract infections

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are prevalent and costly in Australia, with recurrent UTIs (rUTIs) in women posing significant clinical challenges due to antibiotic resistance and a lack of comprehensive guidelines that integrate antibiotic and non-antibiotic preventive strategies. This thesis aims to evaluate the introduction of a standardised treatment pathway for uncomplicated rUTIs in the community through three components: a narrative review of current and emerging UTI diagnostics, an audit of current management practices at Eastern Health, and a pioneering pilot study assessing the implementation of this pathway and its impact on symptoms and quality of life. The goal is to standardise care, improve access to care, and enhance patient outcomes.