Impact of clinical pharmacist counselling at discharge on adherence to oral antibiotics: A pilot study
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat, with patient non-adherence to prescribed antibiotic regimens representing an important contributing factor. This prospective interventional study investigated the impact of clinical pharmacist counselling at hospital discharge on adherence to oral antibiotic therapy. The study was conducted at the Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, General Hospital "Dr. Tomislav Bardek", Koprivnica, between March 2022 and July 2025. A total of 98 participants aged ≥18 years who were prescribed oral antibiotics at discharge were randomised into intervention (counselling) and non-intervention groups. Baseline socio-demographic and clinical data were collected, and adherence was assessed following treatment completion using a structured questionnaire developed by the authors. Of the 98 participants, 94 were included in the final analysis. Non-adherence was significantly lower in the intervention group, compared to the non-intervention group (2.1 % vs. 36.2 %, p < 0.001). Urinary tract infections represented the most common indication for antibiotic therapy, with ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid being the most frequently prescribed medicines. This study demonstrates that pharmacist-led discharge counselling markedly improves adherence to short-term antibiotic therapy. These findings provide preliminary evidence supporting integration of clinical pharmacists into hospital discharge processes to promote rational…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 98 participants or records.
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