Use of the FebriDx point-of-care test for lower respiratory tract infections in primary care: a qualitative interview study
Use of the FebriDx point-of-care test for lower respiratory tract infections in primary care: a qualitative interview study
Background: FebriDx is a single-use, analyser-free, point-of-care test with markers for bacterial (C-reactive protein [CRP]) and viral (myxovirus resistance protein A [MxA]) infection, measured on a finger-prick blood sample.
Aim: as part of a larger feasibility study, we explored the views of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients on the use of FebriDx to safely reduce antibiotic prescriptions for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in primary care.
Design & setting: remote semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted in South England.
Method: in total, 22 individuals (12 patients who underwent FebriDx testing and 10 HCPs from general practices that conducted testing) participated in interviews, which were analysed thematically.
Results: patients and HCPs expressed positive views about use of the test. They felt FebriDx was a useful tool to inform prescribing decisions and provided a visual aid to support shared decision making and appropriate antibiotic use. Most felt it would be feasible to integrate use into routine primary care consultations. Some practical difficulties with blood collection and interpreting results, which impacted on usability, were identified. Some patients' reactions to negative test results suggested the need for better communication alongside use of the test.
Conclusion: FebriDx was perceived as a useful tool to guide antibiotic prescribing and support shared decision making. Initial practical problems with testing and communicating results are potential barriers to use. Training and practice on using the test and effective communication are likely to be important elements in ensuring patient understanding and satisfaction, and successful adoption.
diagnosis, infectious illness, point-of-care testing, qualitative research
Rutter, Jill
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Wilcox, Christopher R.
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Odeh, Nour
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Muller, Ingrid
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Clark, Tristan W.
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Little, Paul
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Davies, Firoza
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McGavin, John
d5270e50-7abc-4b77-981d-ac68d3110b4a
Francis, Nick
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29 October 2024
Rutter, Jill
c5bed2ff-5638-4682-a0b8-ce46e34ddef7
Wilcox, Christopher R.
e2c4c36a-e2e5-43a5-9fd6-7198cc15dd53
Odeh, Nour
b2a36d93-58c1-4581-8172-6d6ca8d54643
Muller, Ingrid
2569bf42-51bd-40da-bbfd-dd4dbbd62cad
Clark, Tristan W.
712ec18e-613c-45df-a013-c8a22834e14f
Little, Paul
1bf2d1f7-200c-47a5-ab16-fe5a8756a777
Davies, Firoza
dfbad70e-7928-4b1c-a26d-9a10281b8833
McGavin, John
d5270e50-7abc-4b77-981d-ac68d3110b4a
Francis, Nick
9b610883-605c-4fee-871d-defaa86ccf8e
Rutter, Jill, Wilcox, Christopher R., Odeh, Nour, Muller, Ingrid, Clark, Tristan W., Little, Paul, Davies, Firoza, McGavin, John and Francis, Nick
(2024)
Use of the FebriDx point-of-care test for lower respiratory tract infections in primary care: a qualitative interview study.
BJGP Open, 8 (3), [BJGPO.2024.0024].
(doi:10.3399/BJGPO.2024.0024).
Abstract
Background: FebriDx is a single-use, analyser-free, point-of-care test with markers for bacterial (C-reactive protein [CRP]) and viral (myxovirus resistance protein A [MxA]) infection, measured on a finger-prick blood sample.
Aim: as part of a larger feasibility study, we explored the views of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients on the use of FebriDx to safely reduce antibiotic prescriptions for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in primary care.
Design & setting: remote semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted in South England.
Method: in total, 22 individuals (12 patients who underwent FebriDx testing and 10 HCPs from general practices that conducted testing) participated in interviews, which were analysed thematically.
Results: patients and HCPs expressed positive views about use of the test. They felt FebriDx was a useful tool to inform prescribing decisions and provided a visual aid to support shared decision making and appropriate antibiotic use. Most felt it would be feasible to integrate use into routine primary care consultations. Some practical difficulties with blood collection and interpreting results, which impacted on usability, were identified. Some patients' reactions to negative test results suggested the need for better communication alongside use of the test.
Conclusion: FebriDx was perceived as a useful tool to guide antibiotic prescribing and support shared decision making. Initial practical problems with testing and communicating results are potential barriers to use. Training and practice on using the test and effective communication are likely to be important elements in ensuring patient understanding and satisfaction, and successful adoption.
Text
BJGPO.2024.0024.full
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 9 April 2024
e-pub ahead of print date: 21 August 2024
Published date: 29 October 2024
Keywords:
diagnosis, infectious illness, point-of-care testing, qualitative research
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 496043
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/496043
ISSN: 2398-3795
PURE UUID: 827d87ee-ff35-490b-b785-054c2994f437
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Date deposited: 02 Dec 2024 17:35
Last modified: 04 Dec 2024 03:10
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Contributors
Author:
Jill Rutter
Author:
Nour Odeh
Author:
Firoza Davies
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