An Evidence-Based Antimicrobial Stewardship Smartphone App for Hospital Outpatients: Survey-based Needs Assessment Among Patients
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Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background: Current advances in modern technology have enabled the development and utilization of electronic medical
software apps for both mobile and desktop computing devices. A range of apps on a large variety of clinical conditions for patients
and the public are available, but very few target antimicrobials or infections.
Objective: We sought to explore the use of different antimicrobial information resources with a focus on electronic platforms,
including apps for portable devices, by outpatients at two large, geographically distinct National Health Service (NHS) teaching
hospital trusts in England. We wanted to determine whether there is demand for an evidence-based app for patients, to garner
their perceptions around infections/antimicrobial prescribing, and to describe patients’ experiences of their interactions with
health care professionals in relation to this topic.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used to investigate aspects of antimicrobial prescribing and electronic devices
experienced by patients at four hospitals in London and a teaching hospital in the East of England.
Results: A total of 99 surveys were completed and analyzed. A total of 82% (80/98) of respondents had recently been prescribed
antimicrobials; 87% (85/98) of respondents were prescribed an antimicrobial by a hospital doctor or through their general
practitioner (GP) in primary care. Respondents wanted information on the etiology (42/65, 65%) and prevention and/or management
(32/65, 49%) of their infections, with the infections reported being upper and lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, oral, and skin
and soft tissue infections. All patients (92/92, 100%) desired specific information on the antimicrobial prescribed. Approximately
half (52/95, 55%) stated it was “fine” for doctors to use a mobile phone/tablet computer during the consultation while 13% (12/95)
did not support the idea of doctors accessing health care information in this way. Although only 30% (27/89) of respondents
reported on the use of health care apps, 95% (81/85) offered information regarding aspects of antimicrobials or infections that could be provided through a tailored app for patients. Analysis of the comments revealed the following main global themes:
knowledge, technology, and patient experience.
Conclusions: The majority of respondents in our study wanted to have specific etiological and/or infection management advice.
All required antimicrobial-related information. Also, most supported the use of electronic resources of information, including
apps, by their doctors. While a minority of people currently use health apps, many feel that apps could be used to provide additional
support/information related to infections and appropriate use of antimicrobials. In addition, we found that there is a need for
health care professionals to engage with patients and help address common misconceptions around the generation of antimicrobial
resistance.
software apps for both mobile and desktop computing devices. A range of apps on a large variety of clinical conditions for patients
and the public are available, but very few target antimicrobials or infections.
Objective: We sought to explore the use of different antimicrobial information resources with a focus on electronic platforms,
including apps for portable devices, by outpatients at two large, geographically distinct National Health Service (NHS) teaching
hospital trusts in England. We wanted to determine whether there is demand for an evidence-based app for patients, to garner
their perceptions around infections/antimicrobial prescribing, and to describe patients’ experiences of their interactions with
health care professionals in relation to this topic.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used to investigate aspects of antimicrobial prescribing and electronic devices
experienced by patients at four hospitals in London and a teaching hospital in the East of England.
Results: A total of 99 surveys were completed and analyzed. A total of 82% (80/98) of respondents had recently been prescribed
antimicrobials; 87% (85/98) of respondents were prescribed an antimicrobial by a hospital doctor or through their general
practitioner (GP) in primary care. Respondents wanted information on the etiology (42/65, 65%) and prevention and/or management
(32/65, 49%) of their infections, with the infections reported being upper and lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, oral, and skin
and soft tissue infections. All patients (92/92, 100%) desired specific information on the antimicrobial prescribed. Approximately
half (52/95, 55%) stated it was “fine” for doctors to use a mobile phone/tablet computer during the consultation while 13% (12/95)
did not support the idea of doctors accessing health care information in this way. Although only 30% (27/89) of respondents
reported on the use of health care apps, 95% (81/85) offered information regarding aspects of antimicrobials or infections that could be provided through a tailored app for patients. Analysis of the comments revealed the following main global themes:
knowledge, technology, and patient experience.
Conclusions: The majority of respondents in our study wanted to have specific etiological and/or infection management advice.
All required antimicrobial-related information. Also, most supported the use of electronic resources of information, including
apps, by their doctors. While a minority of people currently use health apps, many feel that apps could be used to provide additional
support/information related to infections and appropriate use of antimicrobials. In addition, we found that there is a need for
health care professionals to engage with patients and help address common misconceptions around the generation of antimicrobial
resistance.
Date Issued
2016-07-06
Date Acceptance
2016-04-05
Citation
Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2016, 4 (3)
ISSN
1439-4456
Publisher
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Volume
4
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
©Christianne Micallef, Monsey McLeod, Enrique Castro-Sánchez, Myriam Gharbi, Esmita Charani, Luke SP Moore, Mark
Gilchrist, Fran Husson, Ceire Costelloe, Alison H Holmes. Originally published in JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth
(http://mhealth.jmir.org), 06.07.2016. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any
medium, provided the original work, first published in JMIR mhealth and uhealth, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic
information, a link to the original publication on http://mhealth.jmir.org/, as well as this copyright and license information must
be included.
Gilchrist, Fran Husson, Ceire Costelloe, Alison H Holmes. Originally published in JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth
(http://mhealth.jmir.org), 06.07.2016. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any
medium, provided the original work, first published in JMIR mhealth and uhealth, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic
information, a link to the original publication on http://mhealth.jmir.org/, as well as this copyright and license information must
be included.
License URL
Sponsor
Imperial College Healthcare Charity
Grant Number
7006/P36U
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
e83