Guidance
Recommendations for research
The Guideline Development Group has made the following recommendations for research, based on its review of evidence, to improve NICE guidance and patient care in the future. The Guideline Development Group's full set of recommendations for research is detailed in the full guideline.
1 Reducing antimicrobial resistance
What interventions, systems and processes are effective and cost effective in reducing antimicrobial resistance without causing harm to patients?
Recommendation
One or more randomised controlled trials should be undertaken to determine whether short versus longer courses of antimicrobials, directly administered (or observed) therapy, continuous versus intermittent therapy and inhaled antimicrobials reduce the emergence of antimicrobial resistance and maintain patient outcomes compared with usual care in the UK setting.
2 Decision-making
What interventions, systems and processes are effective and cost effective in changing health and social care practitioners' decision‑making and ensuring appropriate antimicrobial stewardship?
Recommendation
Randomised controlled trials should be undertaken to determine whether using point‑of‑care tests in decision‑making is clinically and cost effective when prescribing antimicrobials in children, young people and adults presenting with respiratory tract infections.