Antibiotic Prescription Practices and Patient Expectations from the Perspective of General Practitioners

Nóra Horváth, László Róbert Kolozsvári

Keywords: Antibiotics, General Practice, Patient Expectations

Background:

Antibiotic resistance is a significant public health issue globally. The World Health Organization has identified it as one of the greatest threats to health, food safety, and development on a global scale. General practitioners play a crucial role in halting and preventing antibiotic resistance.

Research questions:

Our survey aims to assess the attitudes and knowledge regarding antibiotics among doctors and their patients.

Method:

The research involved doctors who voluntarily participated in a training organized by the Department of Family Medicine and Occupational Health at the University of Debrecen. After completing a brief demographic questionnaire, we measured the doctors' knowledge and attitudes toward antibiotics and the patients' expectations regarding antibiotics conveyed to their doctors. We examined patient compliance, doctors' antibiotic prescribing habits, and asked about the frequency of conflicts related to antibiotics, as well as how often patients leave their practices due to such conflicts.

Results:

Our preliminary results show that 56% of respondents are female, 75% practice in urban areas, and 83% have a general practice. 75% of doctors regularly encounter the problem of patients expecting antibiotic prescriptions for their complaints. In 25% of respondents' practices, patients initiate antibiotic therapy without medical consultation, and 11% prescribe antibiotics to complete self-initiated antibiotic therapy monthly, with 17% doing so weekly. 11% typically prescribe antibiotics after a telephone consultation. Monthly conflicts arising from not prescribing antibiotics occur for 20%, and 20% experience such conflicts weekly. Additionally, 50% of respondents have had patients leave their practices due to antibiotic-related conflicts.

Conclusions:

Our research highlights trends in antibiotic prescribing practices and presents patient expectations from a medical perspective. Resolving these issues is crucial for the effective prevention of antibiotic resistance, necessitating comprehensive efforts in health education and public awareness. We plan to expand our research internationally, both among doctors and their patients.

Points for discussion:

Physician-Patient Dynamics in Antibiotic Prescriptions

Frequency and Impact of Antibiotic-Related Conflicts

International Perspectives

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