PubMed · 1996 · 334 citations · 11 references
PharmacyFamily MedicineInfectious DiseasesClinical MedicineGeneral Internal MedicineRespiratory PharmacotherapyHealthcare-associated InfectionsPatient PreferencesPatient SatisfactionPatient Satisfaction MeasurementAcute Upper Respiratory Tract InfectionsPatient InteractionPatient Satisfaction AnalysisPatient Satisfaction EvaluationRespiratory Viral InfectionsUpper Respiratory InfectionsUpper Respiratory Tract Infection ManagementViral Respiratory Infections
Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for respiratory infections, even though most of these infections are viral. The study aimed to investigate why physicians prescribe antibiotics for respiratory infections by examining patients’ and physicians’ expectations and the impact of the patient–physician interaction on satisfaction. Researchers surveyed 113 patients before and after visits at three family medicine centers, collecting questionnaires from both patients and physicians to assess expectations and interaction dynamics. Among 113 patients, 65% expected antibiotics, and physicians often prescribed them—over 75% for sinusitis or bronchitis and 18% for viral infections—but antibiotic receipt was not linked to higher satisfaction, which instead correlated with patients’ understanding of their illness and the time physicians spent with them.
Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for respiratory infections, even though most of these infections are viral. To understand why physicians do so, we studied patients' and physicians' expectations for antibiotics and the effects of the patient-physician interaction on patient satisfaction.Patients with a respiratory infection were asked to complete a questionnaire before and after visiting with physicians at three family medicine centers. Physicians completed a questionnaire following the visit.Sixty-five percent of the 113 patients with respiratory infection expected antibiotics. Physicians had some ability to perceive this expectation and frequently prescribed antibiotics for patients who expected them. Antibiotics were prescribed to over 75% of patients with sinusitis or bronchitis and to 18% of those diagnosed with only viral infections. No association was found between a prescription for antibiotics and patient satisfaction; however, patient satisfaction did correlate with the patients' report that they understood the illness and that the physician spent enough time with them.Physicians frequently prescribe antibiotics for upper respiratory infections when they believe patients expect it, but receiving a prescription for antibiotics is not in and of itself associated with increased patient satisfaction.
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