[Physicians referent for antimicrobial therapy in French hospitals. Origins and expectations. A French infectious diseases society survey].

The French Infectious Diseases Society (SPILF) conducted a web-based survey of physicians' referent for antimicrobial therapy (ABT). The 106 respondents came mostly from public (95%) big (median 815 beds) hospitals. A referent according to health ministry requirements was identified in 88 hospitals. In, 18 others, a physician performed the job without identification per se. This activity had a specific financing in only 12% of cases. Two thirds of the referents were infectious diseases physicians, the others had for training a university degree in ABT. Expectations about SPILF were mostly implementation of good practices of ABT (73%), organization of CME sessions (61%), a referent dedicated session during the annual SPILF meeting (58%), a SPILF driven certification (58%) and the creation of regional networks of referents (55%). Implementing a training and evaluation program for ABT referents becomes a priority for the SPILF.