scholarly journals Investigating the mechanism of impact and differential effect of the Quality Premium scheme on antibiotic prescribing in England: a longitudinal study

BJGP Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. bjgpopen20X101052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Emeka Anyanwu ◽  
Koen Pouwels ◽  
Anne Walker ◽  
Michael Moore ◽  
Azeem Majeed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Financial Incentive ◽  
Diabetes Prevalence ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Prescribing Practices ◽  
Practice Characteristics ◽  
Antibiotic Drugs ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
Primary Care Practices

BackgroundIn 2017, approximately 73% of antibiotics in England were prescribed from primary care practices. It has been estimated that 9%–23% of antibiotic prescriptions between 2013 and 2015 were inappropriate. Reducing antibiotic prescribing in primary care was included as one of the national priorities in a financial incentive scheme in 2015–2016.AimTo investigate whether the effects of the Quality Premium (QP), which provided performance-related financial incentives to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), could be explained by practice characteristics that contribute to variations in antibiotic prescribing.Design & settingLongitudinal monthly prescribing data were analysed for 6251 primary care practices in England from April 2014 to March 2016.MethodLinear generalised estimating equations models were fitted, examining the effect of the 2015–2016 QP on the number of antibiotic items per specific therapeutic group age–sex related prescribing unit (STAR-PU) prescribed, adjusting for seasonality and months since implementation. Consistency of effects after further adjustment for variations in practice characteristics were also examined, including practice workforce, comorbidities prevalence, prescribing rates of non-antibiotic drugs, and deprivation.ResultsAntibiotics prescribed in primary care practices in England reduced by -0.172 items per STAR-PU (95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.180 to -0.171) after 2015–2016 QP implementation, with slight increases in the months following April 2015 (+0.014 items per STAR-PU; 95% CI = +0.013 to +0.014). Adjusting the model for practice characteristics, the immediate and month-on-month effects following implementation remained consistent, with slight attenuation in immediate reduction from -0.172 to -0.166 items per STAR-PU. In subgroup analysis, the QP effect was significantly greater among the top 20% prescribing practices (interaction p<0.001). Practices with low workforce and those with higher diabetes prevalence had greater reductions in prescribing following 2015–2016 QP compared with other practices (interaction p<0.001).ConclusionIn high-prescribing practices, those with low workforce and high diabetes prevalence had more reduction following the QP compared with other practices, highlighting the need for targeted support of these practices and appropriate resourcing of primary care.

scholarly journals Does practice characteristics explain the impact of a financial incentive on antibiotic prescribing?

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Anyanwu ◽  
C Costelloe
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Financial Incentive ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Incentive Scheme ◽  
Practice Characteristics ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
Primary Care Practices ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Specific Health

Abstract Background About 80% of the antibiotics prescribed in England are from primary care practices. The Quality Premium (QP) initiative that offers financial rewards on the quality of specific health services commissioned is one of the NHS England interventions to reduce antimicrobial resistance through reduced prescribing. Evaluations of the initiative suggest a reduction in antibiotic prescribing in primary care. We investigated whether the effect of this financial incentive on antibiotic prescribing is explained by variations in practice characteristics that can contribute to differences in antibiotic prescribing. Methods We used monthly prescribing data for 6,600 practices in England from NHS Digital for the year from April 2015 when antibiotic improvement was included as a QP priority and the preceding year. We fitted an initial linear generalised estimating equations model examining the effect of the incentive on antibiotic items/STAR-PU prescribed, adjusting for seasonality and number of months since implementation. We examined the consistency of the effect after the initial model was adjusted for variations in workforce, prevalence of co-morbidities (asthma, COPD, cancer, chronic kidney disease, diabetes), and deprivation index. Results Antibiotics prescribed in primary care practices in England reduced by 0.20 items/STAR-PU (95% CI:0.19-0.21) after the implementation of the initiative. This reduction flattened off in the following months with a month-on-month increase of 0.013 items (95% CI:0.012-0.013). After adjusting for practice characteristics, the immediate and month-on-month impacts remained consistent with slight attenuation of the immediate impact (0.18, 95% CI:0.17-0.18). Subgroup analyses showed the effect of the initiative was significantly more among 20% top prescribers. Conclusions Variations in practice characteristics are not a major explanation for the impact of the quality premium initiative on antibiotic prescribing in primary care practices in England. Key messages Our findings on the targeted impact of a financial incentive scheme to improve antibiotics prescribing on high prescribers are important to policymakers and antibiotic stewardship programs. Variations in practice characteristics are not a major explanation for the impact of a financial incentive scheme on antibiotics prescribing in primary care practices in England.

scholarly journals General practitioners’ accounts of negotiating antibiotic prescribing decisions with patients: a qualitative study on what influences antibiotic prescribing in low, medium and high prescribing practices

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke M. van der Zande ◽  
Melanie Dembinsky ◽  
Giovanni Aresi ◽  
Tjeerd P. van Staa
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Prescribing Practices ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
North West ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
Primary Care Practices ◽  
Supportive Practice

Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is high on the UK public health policy agenda, and poses challenges to patient safety and the provision of health services. Widespread prescribing of antibiotics is thought to increase AMR, and mostly takes place in primary medical care. However, prescribing rates vary substantially between general practices. The aim of this study was to understand contextual factors related to general practitioners’ (GPs) antibiotic prescribing behaviour in low, high, and around the mean (medium) prescribing primary care practices. Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 41 GPs working in North-West England. Participants were purposively sampled from practices with low, medium, and high antibiotic prescribing rates adjusted for the number and characteristics of patients registered in a practice. The interviews were analysed thematically. Results This study found that optimizing antibiotic prescribing creates tensions for GPs, particularly in doctor-patient communication during a consultation. GPs balanced patient expectations and their own decision-making in their communication. When not prescribing antibiotics, GPs reported the need for supportive mechanisms, such as regular practice meetings, within the practice, and in the wider healthcare system (e.g. longer consultation times). In low prescribing practices, GPs reported that increasing dialogue with colleagues, having consistent patterns of prescribing within the practice, supportive practice policies, and enough resources such as consultation time were important supports when not prescribing antibiotics. Conclusions Insight into GPs’ negotiations with patient and public health demands, and consistent and supportive practice-level policies can help support prudent antibiotic prescribing among primary care practices.

scholarly journals Effect of Behavioral Interventions on Inappropriate Antibiotic Prescribing Among Primary Care Practices

JAMA ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 315 (6) ◽  
pp. 562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniella Meeker ◽  
Jeffrey A. Linder ◽  
Craig R. Fox ◽  
Mark W. Friedberg ◽  
Stephen D. Persell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
Primary Care Practices

scholarly journals Usual primary care of older people in New Zealand: association between practice characteristics and practice activities

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Palapar ◽  
Laura Wilkinson-Meyers ◽  
Thomas Lumley ◽  
Ngaire Kerse
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Older People ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Home Visits ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Practice Characteristics ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
Primary Care Practices

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Information on the processes used by primary care practices to help identify older patients in need of assistance are limited in New Zealand. AIM To describe the processes used to promote early problem detection in older patients in primary care and the practice characteristics associated with the use of these proactive processes. METHODS Sixty practices were randomly selected from all primary care practices in three regions (52% response rate) and surveyed in 2010 to identify characteristics of practices performing the following activities: using assessment tools; auditing the practice; conducting specific clinics; providing home visits; and providing active patient follow-up. Practice level variables were examined. RESULTS Only 4 (7%) of 57 practices did not perform any of the activities. We found the following associations in the many comparisons done: no activities and greater level of deprivation of practice address (p = 0.048); more activities in main urban centres (p = 0.034); more main urban centre practices doing home visits (p = 0.001); less Canterbury practices conducting specific clinics for frail older patients (p = 0.010); and more Capital and Coast practices following-up patients who do not renew their prescriptions (p = 0.019). DISCUSSION There are proactive processes in place in most New Zealand practices interested in a trial about care of older people. Future research should determine whether different types of practices or the activities that they undertake make a difference to older primary care patients’ outcomes.

scholarly journals Investigating the mechanism of impact of the Quality Premium initiative on antibiotic prescribing in primary care practices in England: a study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e030093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Emeka Anyanwu ◽  
Sarah Tonkin-Crine ◽  
Aleksandra Borek ◽  
Ceire Costelloe
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Least Square ◽  
System Level ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Ethical Review ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Mechanism Of Impact ◽  
Primary Care Practices

IntroductionThe persistent development and spread of resistance to antibiotics remain an important public health concern in the UK and globally. About 74% of antibiotics prescribed in England in 2016 was in primary care. The Quality Premium (QP) initiative that rewards Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) financially based on the quality of specific health services commissioned is one of the National Health Service (NHS) England interventions to reduce antimicrobial resistance through reduced prescribing. Emerging evidence suggests a reduction in antibiotic prescribing in primary care practices in the UK following QP initiative. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of impact of this high-cost health-system level intervention on antibiotic prescribing in primary care practices in England.Methods and analysisThe study will constitute secondary analyses of antibiotic prescribing data for almost all primary care practices in England from the NHS England Antibiotic Quality Premium Monitoring Dashboard and OpenPrescribing covering the period 2013 to 2018. The primary outcome is the number of antibiotic items per Specific Therapeutic group Age-sex Related Prescribing Unit (STAR-PU) prescribed monthly in each practice or CCG. We will first conduct an interrupted time series using ordinary least square regression method to examine whether antibiotic prescribing rate in England has changed over time, and how such changes, if any, are associated with QP implementation. Single and sequential multiple-mediator models using a unified approach for the natural direct and indirect effects will be conducted to investigate the relationship between QP initiative, the potential mediators and antibiotic prescribing rate with adjustment for practice and CCG characteristics.Ethics and disseminationThis study will use secondary data that are anonymised and obtained from studies that have either undergone ethical review or generated data from routine collection systems. Multiple channels will be used in disseminating the findings from this study to academic and non-academic audiences.

scholarly journals Practice-Level Variation in Telemedicine Use in a Pediatric Primary Care Network During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Retrospective Analysis and Survey Study

10.2196/24345 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. e24345
Author(s):  
Kelsey Schweiberger ◽  
Alejandro Hoberman ◽  
Jennifer Iagnemma ◽  
Pamela Schoemer ◽  
Joseph Squire ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Race And Ethnicity ◽  
Pediatric Primary Care ◽  
Office Visits ◽  
Level Variation ◽  
Practice Level ◽  
Practice Characteristics ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
Primary Care Practices ◽  
Clinician Attitudes

Background Telehealth, the delivery of health care through telecommunication technology, has potential to address multiple health system concerns. Despite this potential, only 15% of pediatric primary care clinicians reported using telemedicine as of 2016, with the majority identifying inadequate payment for these services as the largest barrier to their adoption. The COVID-19 pandemic led to rapid changes in payment and regulations surrounding telehealth, enabling its integration into primary care pediatrics. Objective Due to limited use of telemedicine in primary care pediatrics prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, much is unknown about the role of telemedicine in pediatric primary care. To address this gap in knowledge, we examined the association between practice-level telemedicine use within a large pediatric primary care network and practice characteristics, telemedicine visit diagnoses, in-person visit volumes, child-level variations in telemedicine use, and clinician attitudes toward telemedicine. Methods We analyzed electronic health record data from 45 primary care practices and administered a clinician survey to practice clinicians. Practices were stratified into tertiles based on rates of telemedicine use (low, intermediate, high) per 1000 patients per week during a two-week period (April 19 to May 2, 2020). By practice tertile, we compared (1) practice characteristics, (2) telemedicine visit diagnoses, (3) rates of in-person visits to the office, urgent care, and the emergency department, (4) child-level variation in telemedicine use, and (5) clinician attitudes toward telemedicine across these practices. Results Across pediatric primary care practices, telemedicine visit rates ranged from 5 to 23 telemedicine visits per 1000 patients per week. Across all tertiles, the most frequent telemedicine visit diagnoses were mental health (28%-36% of visits) and dermatologic (15%-28%). Compared to low telemedicine use practices, high telemedicine use practices had fewer in-person office visits (10 vs 16 visits per 1000 patients per week, P=.005) but more total encounters overall (in-office and telemedicine: 28 vs 22 visits per 1000 patients per week, P=.006). Telemedicine use varied with child age, race and ethnicity, and recent preventive care; however, no significant interactions existed between these characteristics and practice-level telemedicine use. Finally, clinician attitudes regarding the usability and impact of telemedicine did not vary significantly across tertiles. Conclusions Across a network of pediatric practices, we identified significant practice-level variation in telemedicine use, with increased use associated with more varied telemedicine diagnoses, fewer in-person office visits, and increased overall primary care encounter volume. Thus, in the context of the pandemic, when underutilization of primary care was prevalent, higher practice-level telemedicine use supported pediatric primary care encounter volume closer to usual rates. Child-level telemedicine use differed by child age, race and ethnicity, and recent preventive care, building upon prior concerns about differences in access to telemedicine. However, increased practice-level use of telemedicine services was not associated with reduced or increased differences in use, suggesting that further work is needed to promote equitable access to primary care telemedicine.

scholarly journals Practice-Level Variation in Telemedicine Use in a Pediatric Primary Care Network During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Retrospective Analysis and Survey Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey Schweiberger ◽  
Alejandro Hoberman ◽  
Jennifer Iagnemma ◽  
Pamela Schoemer ◽  
Joseph Squire ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Race And Ethnicity ◽  
Pediatric Primary Care ◽  
Office Visits ◽  
Level Variation ◽  
Practice Level ◽  
Practice Characteristics ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
Primary Care Practices ◽  
Clinician Attitudes

BACKGROUND Telehealth, the delivery of health care through telecommunication technology, has potential to address multiple health system concerns. Despite this potential, only 15% of pediatric primary care clinicians reported using telemedicine as of 2016, with the majority identifying inadequate payment for these services as the largest barrier to their adoption. The COVID-19 pandemic led to rapid changes in payment and regulations surrounding telehealth, enabling its integration into primary care pediatrics. OBJECTIVE Due to limited use of telemedicine in primary care pediatrics prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, much is unknown about the role of telemedicine in pediatric primary care. To address this gap in knowledge, we examined the association between practice-level telemedicine use within a large pediatric primary care network and practice characteristics, telemedicine visit diagnoses, in-person visit volumes, child-level variations in telemedicine use, and clinician attitudes toward telemedicine. METHODS We analyzed electronic health record data from 45 primary care practices and administered a clinician survey to practice clinicians. Practices were stratified into tertiles based on rates of telemedicine use (low, intermediate, high) per 1000 patients per week during a two-week period (April 19 to May 2, 2020). By practice tertile, we compared (1) practice characteristics, (2) telemedicine visit diagnoses, (3) rates of in-person visits to the office, urgent care, and the emergency department, (4) child-level variation in telemedicine use, and (5) clinician attitudes toward telemedicine across these practices. RESULTS Across pediatric primary care practices, telemedicine visit rates ranged from 5 to 23 telemedicine visits per 1000 patients per week. Across all tertiles, the most frequent telemedicine visit diagnoses were mental health (28%-36% of visits) and dermatologic (15%-28%). Compared to low telemedicine use practices, high telemedicine use practices had fewer in-person office visits (10 vs 16 visits per 1000 patients per week, <i>P</i>=.005) but more total encounters overall (in-office and telemedicine: 28 vs 22 visits per 1000 patients per week, <i>P</i>=.006). Telemedicine use varied with child age, race and ethnicity, and recent preventive care; however, no significant interactions existed between these characteristics and practice-level telemedicine use. Finally, clinician attitudes regarding the usability and impact of telemedicine did not vary significantly across tertiles. CONCLUSIONS Across a network of pediatric practices, we identified significant practice-level variation in telemedicine use, with increased use associated with more varied telemedicine diagnoses, fewer in-person office visits, and increased overall primary care encounter volume. Thus, in the context of the pandemic, when underutilization of primary care was prevalent, higher practice-level telemedicine use supported pediatric primary care encounter volume closer to usual rates. Child-level telemedicine use differed by child age, race and ethnicity, and recent preventive care, building upon prior concerns about differences in access to telemedicine. However, increased practice-level use of telemedicine services was not associated with reduced or increased differences in use, suggesting that further work is needed to promote equitable access to primary care telemedicine.

scholarly journals How did a Quality Premium financial incentive influence antibiotic prescribing in primary care? Views of Clinical Commissioning Group and general practice professionals

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 2681-2688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra J Borek ◽  
Sibyl Anthierens ◽  
Rosalie Allison ◽  
Cliodna A M McNulty ◽  
Donna M Lecky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Financial Incentive ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Local Resources ◽  
Additional Funding ◽  
General Practices ◽  
Competing Priorities

Abstract Background The Quality Premium (QP) was introduced for Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in England to optimize antibiotic prescribing, but it remains unclear how it was implemented. Objectives To understand responses to the QP and how it was perceived to influence antibiotic prescribing. Methods Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 22 CCG and 19 general practice professionals. Interviews were analysed thematically. Results The findings were organized into four categories. (i) Communication: this was perceived as unstructured and infrequent, and CCG professionals were unsure whether they received QP funding. (ii) Implementation: this was influenced by available local resources and competing priorities, with multifaceted and tailored strategies seen as most helpful for engaging general practices. Many antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) strategies were implemented independently from the QP, motivated by quality improvement. (iii) Mechanisms: the QP raised the priority of AMS nationally and locally, and provided prescribing targets to aim for and benchmark against, but money was not seen as reinvested into AMS. (iv) Impact and sustainability: the QP was perceived as successful, but targets were considered challenging for a minority of CCGs and practices due to contextual factors (e.g. deprivation, understaffing). CCG professionals were concerned with potential discontinuation of the QP and prescribing rates levelling off. Conclusions CCG and practice professionals expressed positive views of the QP and associated prescribing targets and feedback. The QP helped influence change mainly by raising the priority of AMS and defining change targets rather than providing additional funding. To maximize impact, behavioural mechanisms of financial incentives should be considered pre-implementation.

scholarly journals Conceptualising the Integration of Strategies by Clinical Commissioning Groups in England towards the Antibiotic Prescribing Targets for the Quality Premium Financial Incentive Scheme: A Short Report

Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anyanwu ◽  
Borek ◽  
Tonkin-Crine ◽  
Beech ◽  
Costelloe
Keyword(s):  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Financial Incentive ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Short Report ◽  
Incentive Scheme ◽  
Prescribing Practices ◽  
Paper Briefly ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Resistance Improvement

Background: In order to tackle the public health threat of antimicrobial resistance, improvement in antibiotic prescribing in primary care was included as one of the priorities of the Quality Premium (QP) financial incentive scheme for Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in England. This paper briefly reports the outcome of a workshop exploring the experiences of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) leads within CCGs in selecting and adopting strategies to help achieve the QP antibiotic targets. Methods: We conducted a thematic analysis of the notes on discussions and observations from the workshop to identify key themes. Results: Practice visits, needs assessment, peer feedback and audits were identified as strategies integrated in increasing engagement with practices towards the QP antibiotic targets. The conceptual model developed by AMS leads demonstrated possible pathways for the impact of the QP on antibiotic prescribing. Participants raised a concern that the constant targeting of high prescribing practices for AMS interventions might lead to disengagement by these practices. Most of the participants suggested that the effect of the QP might be less about the financial incentive and more about having national targets and guidelines that promote antibiotic prudency. Conclusions: Our results suggest that national targets, rather than financial incentives are key for engaging stakeholders in quality improvement in antibiotic prescribing.

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