Emphasizing the importance of prudent antibiotic use decreases unrealistic perceptions of new antibiotic discoveries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The 2024 discovery of a new class of antibiotics is cause for cautious celebration. However, media coverage of this discovery shows overstated optimism, potentially leading to a false sense of safety in the general public.

Objectives

We investigated whether informing participants about the discovery of new antibiotics changes their perceptions of new antibiotics as a solution to antimicrobial resistance and their expectations for receiving antibiotics for a hypothetical illness.

Methods

In two preregistered online experiments, participants read a fictional newspaper article. In the Optimistic news condition, participants read about antimicrobial resistance and the discovery of new antibiotics. In the Cautious news condition, they additionally

SUBMITTER: Gross R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11920507 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature