Antibiotic prescribing for acute cough: the effect of perceived patient demand.

ABSTRACT:

Background

GPs decide whether or not to prescribe antibiotics for acute cough. Apart from clinical signs and symptoms, non-medical reasons influence this decision as well.

Aim

To obtain a valid estimate of the effect of perceived patient demand.

Design of study

Secondary analysis of cluster randomised controlled trial data.

Setting

Eighty-five Flemish GPs.

Method

GPs completed a preprinted form with medical as well as non-medical information and their prescription for 20 consecutive adult patients consulting with acute cough in the periods February to April 2000 and 2001. The effect of perceived patient demand on antibiotic prescribing was estimated by performing alternating logistic regression analysis. A hierarchical backwards elimination procedure, de

SUBMITTER: Coenen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1828261 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature