Optimising antimicrobial use in primary care utilising collaboration between general practitioners and pharmacists

In Australia, the majority of antimicrobials are prescribed in the primary care setting, and it is estimated that 30-50% of prescriptions are inappropriate in terms of the unnecessary use, choice, dose and duration. This is a significant problem that causes patient harm and contributes to the serious global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Worldwide, a lack of collaboration between general practitioners and community pharmacists around antimicrobial prescriptions has impeded improvement initiatives. This thesis contributes to the understanding of an antimicrobial stewardship model that could guide an effective GP-pharmacist collaboration to improve the quality and safety of antimicrobial use in the Australian community.