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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02732847

Trial of Post-Dated Delayed Antibiotic Prescriptions

Delayed prescriptions have been shown to lower antibiotic use for upper respiratory tract infections (which are mostly viral).

This trial will test the hypothesis that if the clinician post-dates the delayed prescription by 2 days, rather than dating it on the day the patient is seen, there will be a further drop in the rate of antibiotic use.

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Key information

Conditions

Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections Infections Respiratory Tract Diseases Respiratory Tract Infections

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Memorial University

St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A0G 2L0, Canada

About this study

6 family doctors and 2 nurse practitioners in a small rural town will issue delayed antibiotic prescriptions to adult patients with new acute respiratory tract infections. The delayed prescriptions will be randomly dated for either the day of the office visit, or 2 days later. The 2 local pharmacies will note whether the prescription is cashed, and when.

It is hypothesised that post-dating the prescription will result in a reduced cashing rate.

Each arm of the study (Usual v Post-Dated) will contain 75 subjects. This sample will have the power to detect a 25% change in prescription use.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults aged 18 years or older
  • Adults with an untreated upper respiratory tract infection
  • Adults presenting for the first time to a family physician or a nurse practitioner

Exclusion criteria

  • Less that 18 years
  • Having a clear indication for antibiotic therapy

Treatment and study plan

A delayed prescription dated 2 days after clinical office visit

Other

Usual Dated

Drug

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of Participants That Filled a Prescription in 20 Days

    Time frame: 20 days

    Prescriptions

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Post-Dated Versus Voluntary Delayed Antibiotic Prescriptions for Acute Respiratory Infections in Primary Care: A Randomized Trial

Important dates

Study start
2007
Primary completion
2009
Study completion
2009
First posted
Apr 11, 2016
Registry last updated
May 5, 2021

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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