Attitudes and Behaviours to Antimicrobial Prescribing following Introduction of a Smartphone App

ObjectivesOur 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.MethodsWe 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.ResultsThe smartphone app was used more frequently than the pocket guide it replaced (p ConclusionsSmartphone 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.一、研究目的 我院将便携抗菌药物处方指导的传递载体从纸质口袋手册更换为智能手机应用（smartphone application, app），并借此契机评估该应用的使用情况与抗菌药物处方医师的态度及行为之间的关联。 二、研究方法 本研究采用两份结构化横断面问卷，分别于该智能手机应用上线前即刻及上线3个月后发放。针对使用频率与同意性表述的有序李克特量表（Likert scale）应答数据，可实现变量间关联的量化评估。 三、研究结果 本研究所用智能手机应用的使用频率高于其所替代的纸质口袋手册（原文此处P值信息缺失）。 四、研究结论 智能手机应用是传递抗菌药物处方指导的高效且可接受的载体。本研究结果表明，此类应用可赋能使用者质疑不当处方行为，打破既有的固化行为模式，从而在抗菌药物耐药性（antimicrobial resistance）日益严峻的时代背景下，为至关重要的抗菌药物管理（antimicrobial stewardship）工作提供支持。未来的研究需聚焦于其对药物处方的直接影响，以及明确在其他临床场景中推广智能手机应用所面临的障碍。