Antibiotic prescribing in primary care, adherence to guidelines and unnecessary prescribing--an Irish perspective.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Information about antibiotic prescribing practice in primary care is not available for Ireland, unlike other European countries. The study aimed to ascertain the types of antibiotics and the corresponding conditions seen in primary care and whether general practitioners (GPs) felt that an antibiotic was necessary at the time of consultation. This information will be vital to inform future initiatives in prudent antibiotic prescribing in primary care.

Methods

Participating GPs gathered data on all antibiotics prescribed by them in 100 consecutive patients' consultations as well as data on the conditions being treated and whether they felt the antibiotic was necessary.

Results

171 GPs collected data on 16,899 consultations. An antibiotic was prescribed at 20.

SUBMITTER: Murphy M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3430589 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature