The Sant Pau Research Institute (IR Sant Pau) has received funding from the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), co-funded by the European Union through European Funds, for the technological development of OptimAP. This project is aimed at improving the use of antibiotics in acute respiratory infections in children seen in primary care.
The grant is part of the 2025 call for Health Technology Development Projects within the Strategic Action in Health (AES). Its objective is to accelerate the transfer of research results to the healthcare system and to promote innovative solutions with a real impact on clinical practice.
Acute respiratory infections are one of the leading reasons for pediatric consultations and a frequent cause of antibiotic prescribing, often unnecessarily. This situation contributes to the rise of antimicrobial resistance, one of today’s major public health challenges. In this context, OptimAP proposes an innovative intervention to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing without compromising safety or quality of care.
The project is led by Dr. Pablo Alonso Coello, head of the Clinical Epidemiology and Health Services research group at IR Sant Pau, and combines two complementary strategies: a communication skills training program for primary care professionals and a digital tool aimed at families, designed to improve understanding of respiratory infections and to facilitate shared decision-making.
The development of OptimAP, including its evaluation through a clinical trial under real-world clinical practice conditions, was previously funded thanks to a grant from La Marató de TV3. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in antibiotic use with no increase in complications or loss of family satisfaction.
With the current funding, totaling €147,620, the project will focus on final validation, technological optimization, and the assessment of the tool’s clinical, organizational, and economic impact. It will also focus on the analysis of regulatory and feasibility aspects to facilitate its implementation and scalability within the healthcare system.
Through this initiative, IR Sant Pau strengthens its commitment to the development of innovative solutions that contribute to more rational antibiotic use and to the fight against antimicrobial resistance in pediatric primary care.
