Perspectives on Prophylactic Antibiotic Use in Dermatologic Surgery

This is a prospective, multi-center observational survey study to uncover how antibiotic differences can influence utilization decisions. The purpose is to assess the trade-offs between drug side effects and infection prevention that patients are willing to make when taking prophylactic antibiotics. Misuse of antibiotics or non-adherence to prescribed regimens is a public health issue that may be due to a variety of reasons including unclear instructions, symptom improvement and adverse events Subjects will be healthcare providers (physician or nurse) and individuals 18+ years of age in the dermatologic surgery waiting area (including patients and accompanying individuals). Participants will complete a conjoint.ly survey and choose between treatment (antibiotic vs no antibiotic) scenarios.

Adults in the dermatologic surgery department waiting room with age greater than or equal to 18 years (this includes both patients and accompanying individuals (family members, friends, caregivers)) and healthcare providers in dermatologic surgery. A member of the study team will approach patients in the Perelman Dermatology Clinic to determine if they meet inclusion criteria and educate them about the study using the verbal script. If interested, patients will receive a link to the online survey, which will contain an informed consent page. Dermatology healthcare providers will be identified in clinic or from academic center staff directories. Individuals meeting inclusion criteria will also be recruited from the dermatologic surgery waiting rooms of other collaborating institutions (Penn State Health, University of Missouri Health Care, Indiana University Health, University of Minnesota, Oregon Health & Science University, Washington University in St. Louis, UT Southwestern, UC Davis and Ohio State University) once approved by their IRB.

All data will be collected and stored in a secured password-protected conjoint.ly account managed by the Penn Dermatologic Surgery Clinical Research Team. Collaborating institutions will not have access to the survey responses. Data analysis: Multivariate random parameters logit will be used to estimate preference weights for each attribute level. These preference weights will be used to estimate the maximum acceptable risk of various side effects that subjects would be willing to accept in exchange for infection prevention. Collaborating researchers from other institutions will not be involved in data analysis.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥ 18 years
• Individual in the dermatologic surgery waiting room: patient, caregiver, family member or accompanying individual to patient receiving dermatologic surgery service, or dermatology healthcare provider

Exclusion criteria

• Age less than 18 years.