Our Projects

Reducing Antibiotic Usage

Our project aims to address the high rates of antibiotic use in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Our goal is to implement targeted interventions that can effectively reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, particularly for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs). By reducing antibiotic usage, we not only contribute to the global effort to combat antibiotic resistance but also minimise patient exposure to antibiotic-related adverse effects, such as diarrhea, rashes, and allergic reactions.

What we are working on

Our project is grounded in evidence-based methods proven successful in international studies. We are collaborating with General Practitioners (GPs) and engaging  patients to measure the impact of these interventions on antibiotic prescribing patterns for URTIs.

Our Intervention

To effectively reduce antibiotic prescribing, we are implementing several key strategies, including:
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Education Materials

Before their appointment, patients can access information on URTIs and effective treatments, ensuring they are well-informed.

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Commitment Posters

GP/practice will be able to display a poster indicating their dedication to wise reductions in their antibiotic prescribing.

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Knowledge Gems

GPs will regularly be provided with access to up-to-date high quality information to enhance their knowledge about the best care for patients.

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Patient Expectations

Encouraging patients to share their expectations for the consultation to ensure clear communication with their doctor.

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Prescribing Support

Offering simple, practical guidelines to assist GPs in making informed clinical care decisions.

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Non-antibiotic Remedies

Supplying a template for GPs to prescribe safe, effective, and affordable non-antibiotic treatments to patients.

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Patient Satisfaction

Inviting patients to provide feedback on their consultation experience, helping to assess whether their needs were met.

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Feedback

Offering GPs monthly feedback on their antibiotic prescribing rates, comparing them to their peers to foster continuous improvement.

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Education Materials

Before their appointment, patients can access information on URTIs and effective treatments, ensuring they are well-informed.

green tick icon

Commitment Posters

GP/practice will be able to display a poster indicating their dedication to wise reductions in their antibiotic prescribing.

green tick icon

Knowledge Gems

GPs will regularly be provided with access to up-to-date high quality information to enhance their knowledge about the best care for patients.

green tick icon

Patient Expectations

Encouraging patients to share their expectations for the consultation to ensure clear communication with their doctor.

green tick icon

Prescribing Support

Offering simple, practical guidelines to assist GPs in making informed clinical care decisions.

green tick icon

Non-antibiotic Remedies

Offering simple, practical guidelines to assist GPs in making informed clinical care decisions.

green tick icon

Patient Satisfaction

Offering simple, practical guidelines to assist GPs in making informed clinical care decisions.

green tick icon

Feedback

Offering GPs monthly feedback on their antibiotic prescribing rates, comparing them to their peers to foster continuous improvement.

Our Intervention

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Commitment Posters

Each GP/practice will display a poster indicating their dedication to wise reductions in their antibiotic prescribing.

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Patient Expectations

We will ask each patient to indicate their expectations of their GP consultation to ensure their doctor knows in advance what the patient expects—reassurance, a sick note for work, antibiotic treatment, etc.

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Education Materials

Prior to their appointment, patients will have the opportunity to access information regarding URTIs and the most effective treatments, ensuring they are well-informed.

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Knowledge Gems

GPs will regularly be provided with access to up-to-date high quality information to enhance their knowledge about the best care for patients.

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Nudges

We will provide GPs with online brief messages to encourage positive changes in their consultation and prescribing practice.

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Prescribing Support

We will provide GPs with simple guidelines to assist their clinical care.

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Non-antibiotic Remedies

We will provide GPs with a template to facilitate prescription of safe, effective, inexpensive non-antibiotic treatments for patients.

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Patient Satisfaction

We will ask patients to give feedback on their satisfaction following the consultation with their GP to determine whether their needs were met.

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Feedback

We will provide GPs with monthly feedback on their antibiotic prescribing rate compared to their peers

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The research team

Our team consists of a diverse group of experts from leading academic institutions.

Associate Professor Stephen Ritchie
University of Auckland
Associate Professor Mark Thomas
University of Auckland
Associate Professor Amy Chan
University of Auckland
Associate Professor Susan Wells
University of Auckland
Carla White
Health Literacy New Zealand
Susan Reid
Health Literacy New Zealand
Associate Professor Emma Best
University of Auckland
Dr Lily Fraser
Turuki Health Care
Professor Bruce Arroll
University of Auckland
Dr Zhenqiang Wu
University of Auckland
Associate Professor Stephen Ritchie
Principal Investigator
Associate Professor Mark Thomas
University of Auckland
Associate Professor
Amy Chan
University of Auckland
Associate Professor Susan Wells
University of Auckland
Carla White
Health Literacy New Zealand
Susan Reid
Health Literacy New Zealand
Associate Professor Emma Best
University of Auckland
Dr Lily Fraser
Turuki Health Care
Professor Bruce Arroll
University of Auckland
Dr Zhenqiang Wu
University of Auckland

Key partners

This project  is funded by

Intervention Resources

Below are the materials we used in our intervention. Feel free to use them in your GP practice to support responsible antibiotic use and patient education.
Campaign Posters
These campaign posters highlight the importance of responsible antibiotic use. Display them in reception or waiting areas to provide information and a QR code link...
See details
Commitment Posters
General and personalised A4 commitment posters are available for display in waiting rooms or reception areas. These posters highlight your dedication to responsible...
See details
Advice on (URTI) by age
Our Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI) advice offers symptom relief guidance for all ages, from infants to adults. For infants, saline drops can ease symptoms...
See details
Other projects
Antimicrobial Stewardship
The AMS project aims to improves antibiotic use in Aotearoa by creating a national guideline...