PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Sarah Tonkin-Crine AU - Lucy Yardley AU - Samuel Coenen AU - Patricia Fernandez-Vandellos AU - Jaroslaw Krawczyk AU - Pia Touboul AU - Theo Verheij AU - Paul Little TI - GPs' views in five European countries of interventions to promote prudent antibiotic use AID - 10.3399/bjgp11X572445 DP - 2011 May 01 TA - British Journal of General Practice PG - e252--e261 VI - 61 IP - 586 4099 - http://bjgp.org/content/61/586/e252.short 4100 - http://bjgp.org/content/61/586/e252.full SO - Br J Gen Pract2011 May 01; 61 AB - Background A variety of interventions have been developed to promote a more prudent use of antibiotics by implementing clinical guidelines. It is not yet clear which are most acceptable and feasible for implementation across a wide range of contexts. Previous research has been confined mainly to examining views of individual interventions in a national context.Aim To explore GPs' views and experiences of strategies to promote a more prudent use of antibiotics, across five countries.Design and setting Qualitative study using thematic and framework analysis in general practices in Belgium, France, Poland, Spain, and the UK.Method Fifty-two semi-structured interviews explored GPs' views and experiences of strategies aimed at promoting a more prudent use of antibiotics. Interviews were carried out in person or over the telephone, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English where necessary for analysis.Results Themes were remarkably consistent across the countries. GPs had a preference for interventions that allowed discussion and comparison with local colleagues, which helped them to identify how their practice could improve. Other popular components of interventions included the use of near-patient tests to reduce diagnostic uncertainty, and the involvement of other health professionals to increase their responsibility for prescribing.Conclusion The study findings could be used to inform future interventions to improve their acceptability to GPs. Consistency in views across countries indicates the potential for development of an intervention that could be implemented on a European scale.