Clinicians’ Intention to Submit Microbiological Pathogenic Test Before Antibiotics Use and Its Influencing Factors: New Evidence from the Perspective of Hospital Management

PURPOSE: Antimicrobial resistance (AR) is a global public health problem, improving clinicians’ intention to submit microbiological pathogenic test (submission intention) can effectively increase the value for rational use antibiotics to curb AR. However, there are few studies on the factors influencing improvement of the submission intention, especially from the perspective of hospital management. This study will fill the gap and provide evidence that can continuously support improvement of antibiotics prescribing rationally. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of clinicians was conducted in all public hospitals in Hubei, China. Dependent variables were submission intention of non-restricted-use, restricted-use and special-use antibiotics which were measured submission, not sure submission, no submission. Independent variables were frequency of training and publicity on submission, and hospital with or without submission performance assessment, guideline, information decision system and laboratory items, including bacterial culture item, fungal culture item and so on. Clinicians’ demographics were applied as control variables. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to model independent variables influencing submission intention. RESULTS: For non-restricted-use antibiotics, guideline (OR = 0.263; 95% CI = [0.188, 0.369]) (OR = 0.526; 95% CI = [0.375, 0.738]) and bacterial culture item (OR = 0.141; 95% CI = [0.074, 0.268]) (OR = 0.520; 95% CI = [0.292, 0.927]) are key factors that positively affect clinicians’ intention on submission and not sure submission; For restricted-use and special-use antibiotics, training frequency and bacterial culture item (OR = 0.155; 95% CI = [0.076, 0.315]) (OR = 0.092; 95% CI = [0.036, 0.232]) (OR = 0.106; 95% CI = [0.046, 0.248]) (OR = 0.027; 95% CI = [0.006, 0.117]) are key factors that positively affect clinicians’ intention on submission and not sure submission. CONCLUSION: This study found that bacterial culture item, guideline, and training frequency are key factors that affect clinicians’ intention on submission and not sure submission, but various factors exist different effects level on different types of antibiotics. Consequently, a focus should be placed on the construction and implementation of management factors, as well as reformation of antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals according to the types of antibiotics.