Patient perspectives on antibiotic allergy delabeling: Literature review and qualitative study

Penicillins are the first-choice treatment for many infections. Therefore, patients with a penicillin allergy label often have less favourable antibiotic options. Patients in whom the use of penicillin is unwarrantedly avoided, are unnecessarily exposed to side effects associated with second-choice treatments.

About 1 in 10 people have an allergy label. Research shows that 90% of them can safely take penicillin. Patients sometimes hesitate to have an unwarranted label removed (delabeling). The reasons for which have not yet been well researched.

Aim

In this project, researchers will find out these reasons in the literature (systematic review) and by conducting interviews with patients and their carers. This is important for patient acceptance of delabeling. The removal of an incorrect allergy label is not only beneficial for patients themselves, it also contributes to appropriate antibiotic use and thus limits the development of antibiotic resistance.