New research led by Bristol NHS CCG and the University of Bristol, aimed at improving the quality of primary care for children with respiratory tract infections (RTIs) has been presented in London.
Carried out by the Centre for Academic Primary Care (CAPC), the TARGET programme included the largest and most rigorous set of studies of their kind. RTIs in children are the most common problem managed in primary care internationally. The programme, funded by the National Institute for Health Research Programme Grants for Applied Research Programme, was intended to give clinicians the tools they need to better care for these patients.
The programme found new evidence to help parents, primary care clinicians (doctors and nurses) and policy makers support improved antimicrobial stewardship in primary care.
The main findings of the five-year research programme are:
Professor Alastair Hay, from CAPC at the University of Bristol and the Respiratory Infections Health Integration Team, led the programme. He said:
“Children with RTIs often receive antibiotics despite the fact that antibiotics will not help the majority of children’s infections. Our research has uncovered why clinicians prescribe antibiotics; what parents want from a consultation with their GP and what sorts of interventions would help improve the use of antibiotics in primary care. With antimicrobial resistance an ever growing problem, we hope our research will go some way to tackle this issue.”
As well as presenting their findings today, the researchers have launched two new websites to disseminate their findings:
For clinicians and policymakers - Detailed information about the research including published papers
For parents - A guide for parents on when to see a GP and how to care for a child with a cough