Author:
Glechner Anna,Rabady Susanne,Bachler Herbert,Dachs Christoph,Flamm Maria,Glehr Reinhold,Hoffmann Kathryn,Hoffmann-Dorninger Renate,Kamenski Gustav,Lutz Matthias,Poggenburg Stephanie,Tschiggerl Wilfried,Horvath Karl
Abstract
SummaryFrom a pool of 147 reliable recommendations, ten experts from the Austrian Society of General Practice and Family Medicine selected 21 relevant recommendations as the basis for the Delphi process. In two Delphi rounds, eleven experts established a top‑5 list of recommendations designed for Austrian family practice to reduce medical overuse. Three of the chosen recommendations address the issue of antibiotic usage in patients with viral upper respiratory tract infections, in children with mild otitis media, and in patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria. The other two “do not do” recommendations concern imaging studies for nonspecific low back pain and routine screening to detect prostate cancer. A subsequent survey identified the reasons for selecting these top‑5 recommendations: the frequency of the issue, potential harms, costs, and patients’ expectations. Experts hope the campaign will save time in educating patients and provide legal protection for omitting measures.
Funder
Österreichische Gesundheitskasse
Niederösterreichischer Gesundheits- und Sozialfonds
Gesundheitsfonds Steiermark
Danube University Krems University for Continuing Education
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC