The use of rapid infection diagnostics to optimise antimicrobial use for multimorbid patients in Scotland
Supervisors:
Dr Charis Marwick, Population Health & Genomics Division, School of Medicine (University of Dundee)
Dr N Claire Gordon, Rare and Imported Infections Laboratory, UK Health Security Agency
Dr Suzanne Grant, Population Health & Genomics Division, School of Medicine (University of Dundee)
Summary:
Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and biomarkers, e.g. procalcitonin, for infection have the potential reduce unnecessary exposure to antimicrobials. There is limited understanding of their impact in patients with multimorbidity, overall or comparing remote/rural versus urban settings. The UK AMR National Action Plan has highlighted understanding and improving access to diagnostics in different patient groups as a research priority.
The overall aim is to improve understanding of how RDTs influence antimicrobial use for patients with multimorbidity, and how this differs in remote/rural areas in Scotland.
Objectives include to:
1. Synthesise evidence on the impact of multimorbidity and remote/rural location on the use of RDTs and antibiotic use.
2. Quantify the use and impact of RDTs in a large Scottish Health Board, comparing people with and without multimorbidity.
3. Investigate which infection RDTs are used across health boards and factors influencing the choice, comparing urban vs remote/rural.
4. Explore patient and healthcare workers’ experiences and use of RDTs in the context of multimorbidity, and remote/rural locations.
5. Use the findings to co-design practice recommendations.
Methods include literature reviews, statistical analysis of demography/healthcare datasets, and ethnographic observations, interviews and focus groups with patient, policy and practice stakeholders, working with a PPI group.