Table 2 Comparison of the prescribing practices, needs and knowledge between post-qualification juniors doctors in London (n = 140a)
1st year post-qualified n (%) (N = 58) | 2nd year post-qualified n (%) (N = 45) | ≥3rd year post-qualified n (%) (N = 37) | P valueb | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Prescribing practice | ||||
How often do you prescribe antimicrobials?c | ||||
≤ once a week | 3 (5.4) | 8 (21.6) | 6 (16.7) | |
2–4 times/week | 28 (50.0) | 14 (37.8) | 16 (44.4) | |
≥ 1/day | 25 (44.6) | 15 (40.6) | 14 (38.9) | 0.21 |
Do you prescribe with a senior doctor?c | ||||
Primarily without senior supervision | 7 (12.5) | 18 (46.2) | 20 (57.1) | |
Sometimes with a senior doctor | 23 (41.1) | 10 (25.6) | 11 (31.4) | |
More often with a senior doctor | 26 (46.4) | 11 (28.2) | 4 (11.5) | <0.01 |
If a non-optimal antimicrobial prescription is noticed, would it be reported back to the prescriber? | ||||
Yes, all the time | 0 | 1 (3.0) | 6 (23.1) | |
sometimes | 18 (46.2) | 21 (63.7) | 11 (42.3) | |
Rarely | 17 (43.6) | 10 (30.3) | 5 (19.2) | |
Never | 4 (10.2) | 1 (3.0) | 4 (15.4) | <0.01 |
If an unsafe antimicrobial prescription is noticed, would it be reported back to the prescriber? | ||||
Yes, all the time | 6 (14.0) | 12 (35.3) | 5 (21.7) | |
sometimes | 24 (55.8) | 19 (55.9) | 14 (60.9) | |
Rarely | 12 (27.9) | 3 (8.8) | 2 (8.7) | |
Never | 1 (2.3) | 0 | 2 (8.7) | 0.05 |
Do you consider AMR when prescribing? | ||||
Yes | 45 (80.4) | 29 (87.9) | 13 (100.0) | |
No | 11 (19.6) | 4 (12.1) | 0 | 0.24 |
How often do you consider IV to oral switch? | ||||
Every 24 h | 12 (21.8) | 20 (52.6) | 6 (17.6) | |
> 24 h | 13 (23.6) | 2 (5.3) | 7 (20.6) | |
Different case by case | 30 (54.6) | 16 (42.1) | 21 (61.8) | <0.01 |
Do you find easy to switch IV to oral? c | ||||
Yes | 9 (16.4) | 11 (29.0) | 16 (47.1) | |
No | 14 (25.4) | 7 (18.4) | 6 (17.6) | |
Sometimes | 32 (58.2) | 20 (52.6) | 12 (35.3) | 0.04 |
Perception about training on antimicrobial prescribing | ||||
Do you feel confident about antimicrobial prescribing? | ||||
No | 20 (35.7) | 3 (8.1) | 3 (8.1) | |
Yes | 36 (64.3) | 34 (91.9) | 34 (91.9) | <0.01 |
What is your current most effective training? | ||||
Prescribing alone on the job | 4 (7.4) | 4 (9.3) | 4 (10.2) | |
Prescribing with seniors on the job | 18 (33.3) | 15 (34.9) | 6 (15.4) | |
Ward rounds | 3 (5. 6) | 4 (9.3) | 7 (18.0) | |
Teaching sessions | 4 (7.4) | 2 (4.6) | 5 (12.8) | |
Reading policy/ Self-study | 25 (46.3) | 18 (41.9) | 17 (43.6) | 0.34 |
From whom did you learn the most?c | ||||
Doctors in my specialty training | 14 (25.00) | 22 (51.2) | 12 (33.3) | |
Consultants | 2 (3.6) | 4 (9.3) | 4 (11.1) | |
Infection specialists/ microbiologists | 22 (39.3) | 13 (30.2) | 16 (44.5) | |
Pharmacists | 18 (32.1) | 4 (9.3) | 4 (11.1) | <0.01 |
Would you like more training in antimicrobial prescribing?c | ||||
Yes | 35 (60.3) | 32 (74.4) | 29 (74.4) | |
No | 19 (32.8) | 9 (20.9) | 8 (20.5) | |
I do not know | 4 (6.9) | 2 (4.7) | 2 (5.1) | 0.55 |