Brittany Lehrer, MD, MPH

Education

BS, University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin
MD, Chicago Medical School, Chicago, Illinois
Residency, Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Fellowship, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
MPH, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee

Professional Activities

Dr. Brittany Lehrer is assistant professor (CHS) in the Division of Infectious Diseases. In her role as director of pediatric antimicrobial stewardship at American Family Children’s Hospital, Lehrer works to optimize the appropriateness of antibiotics. More than 80 percent of antibiotics are prescribed in the outpatient setting, and at least 50 percent of those prescriptions are unnecessary or inappropriate. Lehrer believes that even minor interventions can have a substantial impact, especially in pediatrics where antibiotics are frequently prescribed. She is dedicated to advancing the field of antimicrobial stewardship through local and statewide initiatives, including leading institutional stewardship projects and contributing to evidence-based guidelines. This commitment is driven by her passion for ensuring patient safety and enhancing public health outcomes.

Clinical Interests

Some of Lehrer’s clinical interests include the appropriate use and interpretation of diagnostic tests, innovative approaches to utilizing antibiotics in complex infections, and the development of standardized clinical practice guidelines. All of these areas have significant opportunities to improve patient outcomes and ensure that clinical practices are both practical and evidence based.

Research Interests

While antimicrobial stewardship in the ambulatory setting is relatively new, existing research indicates that clinician education often has a short-lived impact: prescribing habits typically revert to baseline once the educational intervention ends. While education remains a vital component, Lehrer’s interest lies in exploring the workplace culture surrounding inappropriate prescribing practices. Specifically, she aims to understand why clinicians may prescribe inappropriately despite being aware of guidelines. Additionally, Lehrer is intrigued by the role of patient and family expectations in this dynamic and how altering these expectations ultimately changes the clinician’s prescribing practices.