Behavioural factors influencing health care practitioners’ and patients’ use of antivirals to prevent and treat respiratory viruses associated with severe disease

This scoping rapid review will examine how behavioural factors (barriers and facilitators) influence decisions related to health care practitioners’ prescription of antivirals and patients’ use of antivirals to prevent and treat respiratory viruses associated with severe disease. Although clinical and pandemic plan guidelines recommend antiviral use, particularly for high-risk populations, their real-world uptake and consequently effectiveness remain uncertain. Behavioural barriers and facilitators affecting prescribing, dispensing, and patient use may lead to underuse, delayed use, or inequitable access. This review will synthesise evidence on barriers and facilitators shaping antiviral use among health care practitioners and patients. Findings will support the Innovative Supply Solutions for Pandemic Readiness (InSSPR) initiative and inform the Therapeutics Technical Subcomponent of the Canada Pandemic Preparedness Plan.