POCARI_V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
POCARI – Evaluation of a Point-Of-Care test for Acute Respiratory Infection in an out-of-hours primary care setting
IRAS ID
232735
Contact name
Mary O'Brien
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Edge Hill University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) spread easily and are a major source of illness and cause of death (NICE CG69, 2008). About a quarter of GP consultations are for ARIs (Ashworth et al., 2005; Gulliford et al., 2009). Up to 60% of antibiotic prescriptions in primary care are for ARIs (Gulliford et al., 2014). As there is such similarity in the signs and symptoms of viral and bacterial infections, GPs find it challenging to identify which patients would benefit from antibiotic treatment (Hopstaken et al., 2005). More than 50% of antibiotic prescriptions for ARIs are unnecessary, as the majority of infections are caused by viruses; this over-prescription may contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance (Rattinger et al., 2012).
The FebriDx test has been shown to be accurate in differentiating between viral and bacterial ARIs (Sambursky & Shapiro, 2015) but its impact on antibiotic prescribing practices and patient antibiotic-seeking behaviours in primary care are unknown. Therefore this study will seek to evaluate whether the use of the test has an impact on GP antibiotic prescribing and/or patient antibiotic seeking behaviour following presentation with an ARI in out of hours primary care.
Patients over 18 presenting with an ARI at two GP clinics in Urgent Care 24 (UC24) out of hours service will be eligible. Patients at site A will undergo standard clinical assessment and then complete a patient data pack containing basic demographic details and a short satisfaction survey. Patients at site B will have a finger prick blood sample taken for the FebriDx test in addition to standard clinical assessment and completion of a patient data pack as in site A. Any patient not prescribed antibiotics will receive a telephone call from UC24 staff two weeks later to collect any additional antibiotic prescribing data. GPs from site B will complete a short online survey regarding acceptability of the test.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/YH/0293
Date of REC Opinion
25 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion