Most physicians think inappropriate antibiotic prescription is a pervasive problem that needs intervention, according to survey results released Aug. 6 by Pew Research Center and the American Medical Association.
The survey gathered responses from 1,550 primary care physicians between August and October 2018. Here are some of its key findings:
- Sixty percent of respondents reported that while they believe antibiotic overprescription is a problem, they think they prescribe antibiotics more appropriately than their peers.
- Seventy-two percent of respondents reported believing antibiotic stewardship programs need to be implemented in healthcare facilities.
- Seventy-nine percent of respondents reported they thought antibiotic stewardship programs would be ineffective without patient education efforts.
- Forty-seven percent of respondents reported they would need significant assistance to establish an antibiotic stewardship program in their practice.