New study: GPs wanted for the ARON project!
Do you sometimes find it difficult to exclude or treat a serious infection in an acutely ill child? Then this study might be something for you!
Children regularly become ill, mainly due to infections, most of which can be treated safely by the GP without antibiotics. However, a large number of children are prescribed antibiotics, which contributes to antimicrobial resistance. With this new practice-oriented study, the team at EPI-Centre wants to support you as a GP in the assessment of acutely ill children in primary care by offering an evidence-based diagnostic algorithm.
A recent literature review showed that the use of a rapid test that measures C-reactive protein (CRP) can drastically reduce the number of antibiotic prescriptions for acutely ill children in a safe way, as long as clear advice on how to interpret the rapid test is available.
We propose a study in which children (6 months to 12 years of age) are randomized to: either (a) usual care, or (b) a diagnostic algorithm with a CRP rapid test, safety netting advice and clear guidelines on rational antibiotic prescribing behaviour. The CRP value will be determined with a finger prick test (result within 3 minutes).
We aim to include acutely ill children in the course of 2 winter periods in GP practices all throughout Belgium. Several Belgian academic centres for general practice (KU Leuven, UGent, UAntwerp, ULiege, UCLouvain, VUB) are participating in this study, which is supported by the Federal Knowledge Centre for Health Care (KCE). Based on the findings of this study, we hope to support the daily practice of GPs in the treatment of acutely ill children.
We are therefore looking for GPs who wish to participate in this pragmatic study. We provide financial compensation per patient in order to adequately remunerate your invested time. If you are interested in participating in this project, please contact us using the form below.
More information about the ARON project can be found on the following pages: protocol, CRP rapid test, information for parents and children.
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