Outpatient antibiotic prescribing for common infections via telemedicine versus face-to-face visits: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate the frequency of antibiotic prescribing for common infections via telemedicine compared to face-to-face visits.

Design

Systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Methods

We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Embase (Elsevier platform) and Cochrane CENTRAL to identify studies comparing frequency of antibiotic prescribing via telemedicine and face-to-face visits without restrictions by publish dates or language used. We conducted meta-analyses of 5 infections: sinusitis, pharyngitis, otitis media, upper respiratory infection (URI) and urinary tract infection (UTI). Random-effect models were used to obtain pooled odds ratios (ORs). Heterogeneity was evaluated with I² estimation and the Cochran Q statistic test.

Results

Among 3,106 studi

SUBMITTER: Suzuki H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9495625 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature