This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/7242910.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Study aims to cut antibiotics use Study aims to cut antibiotics use
(about 20 hours later)
An experiment to cut the amount of antibiotic drugs prescribed by GPs is being pioneered by medics in Wales.An experiment to cut the amount of antibiotic drugs prescribed by GPs is being pioneered by medics in Wales.
The Cardiff University study aims to reduce the rate of resistance to the infection-fighting drugs by helping GPs reappraise their use of them.The Cardiff University study aims to reduce the rate of resistance to the infection-fighting drugs by helping GPs reappraise their use of them.
More than 60 surgeries are taking part after figures show areas of Wales have some of the highest rates of antibiotic use in Europe.More than 60 surgeries are taking part after figures show areas of Wales have some of the highest rates of antibiotic use in Europe.
It is hoped the research will encourage GPs to reduce prescribing the drugs.It is hoped the research will encourage GPs to reduce prescribing the drugs.
Resistance to antibiotics is a growing priority in the health service and inappropriate prescribing of the drugs helps fuel its rise, wastes money and risks exposing patients to unnecessary side-effects.Resistance to antibiotics is a growing priority in the health service and inappropriate prescribing of the drugs helps fuel its rise, wastes money and risks exposing patients to unnecessary side-effects.
This month the Department of Health launched a UK-wide campaign reminding people antibiotics would not help them shrug off a typical cough or cold.This month the Department of Health launched a UK-wide campaign reminding people antibiotics would not help them shrug off a typical cough or cold.
The Medical Research Council-funded Star or Stemming the Tide of Antibiotic Resistance study is a three-year experiment analysing the prescribing of antibiotics by 66 surgeries.The Medical Research Council-funded Star or Stemming the Tide of Antibiotic Resistance study is a three-year experiment analysing the prescribing of antibiotics by 66 surgeries.
The same antibiotics were making people on the verge of death get up and walk and here we were using them for people who have no need of them at all Chris Butler, GP and professor of primary careThe same antibiotics were making people on the verge of death get up and walk and here we were using them for people who have no need of them at all Chris Butler, GP and professor of primary care
Doctors in half the surgeries have access to a website which offers the doctors online training. They then have a face-to-face interview with a pharmacist, who goes through the medic's prescribing trends.Doctors in half the surgeries have access to a website which offers the doctors online training. They then have a face-to-face interview with a pharmacist, who goes through the medic's prescribing trends.
Cardiff University professor Chris Butler said: "There's a general concern that antibiotics are over-prescribed."Cardiff University professor Chris Butler said: "There's a general concern that antibiotics are over-prescribed."
Prof Butler, head of the university's primary care and public health department as well as a practising GP in the south Wales valleys, said the experiment was to encourage the family doctors taking part to reflect on the statistics related to their work.Prof Butler, head of the university's primary care and public health department as well as a practising GP in the south Wales valleys, said the experiment was to encourage the family doctors taking part to reflect on the statistics related to their work.
He said: "We prescribe almost double the amount of antibiotics they are using in Holland.He said: "We prescribe almost double the amount of antibiotics they are using in Holland.
"If we think of change, people have to be convinced that change is important. They must know how to change. This intervention builds on the how and why of change.""If we think of change, people have to be convinced that change is important. They must know how to change. This intervention builds on the how and why of change."
Doctors in 66 surgeries are studying how they prescribe antibioticsDoctors in 66 surgeries are studying how they prescribe antibiotics
He said the study also included an element on GPs communicating with patients.He said the study also included an element on GPs communicating with patients.
"This must involve patients - they must have clear information from their GP. Patients generally sign up to decisions not to give them antibiotics when they have clear information.""This must involve patients - they must have clear information from their GP. Patients generally sign up to decisions not to give them antibiotics when they have clear information."
The first year of the study is half way through, while the remaining 33 "control" surgeries are preparing to join the project fully in the summer.The first year of the study is half way through, while the remaining 33 "control" surgeries are preparing to join the project fully in the summer.
South Africa-born Prof Butler has worked at Cardiff University since 1994.South Africa-born Prof Butler has worked at Cardiff University since 1994.
He said his interest in the use of antibiotics was sparked after comparing his experience in a rural hospital in South Africa with those in the UK. He said his interest in the use of antibiotics was sparked after comparing his experiences in a rural hospital in South Africa with those in the UK.
He said: "The same antibiotics were making people on the verge of death get up and walk and here we were using them for people who have no need of them at all."He said: "The same antibiotics were making people on the verge of death get up and walk and here we were using them for people who have no need of them at all."