Shared Decision-making and Antimicrobial Stewardship in Secondary Care

This is a qualitative study with patients and clinicians in secondary care.

We will use semi-structured interviews with patients and clinicians to address the research question. Patients that have received antibiotics during a recent inpatient stay will be identified using the hospital electronic prescribing system and a letter inviting study participation will be included in their discharge medication pack. Senior prescribing decision makers will be recruited from participating hospitals. In total, we hope to carry out up to 50 interviews with patients and clinicians.

Inclusion criteria

For clinicians:

• Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study.
• Senior registrar or consultant medical or surgical doctor working at participating hospitals and caring for inpatients.
• Fluent in English.

For patients:

• Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study.
• Male or Female, aged 16 years or above (no upper age limit).
• Good standard of speaking English and able to read and understand study materials.
• Received antibiotic for treatment of suspected or confirmed bacterial infection during inpatient stay.

Exclusion criteria

• For clinicians:

• Prescribers not currently caring for inpatients

For patients:

• Patient who received prophylaxis antibiotics only