GPs prescribe antibiotics patients don’t want

GPs are relying too heavily on incorrect assumptions about patient needs when prescribing antibiotics, according to a Europe-wide study published today by Cardiff and the University of Antwerp. Research shows that recovery time for patients who receive antibiotics treatment for an acute cough is equal to that of patients who receive no antibiotics at all. Yet findings reveal that all too often GPs are prescribing antibiotics based on the mistaken perception that patients want antibiotics. This has consequently led to an unnecessarily high rate of antibiotic prescribing. Given the growing concern over the threat of antibiotic resistance - described as a "ticking time bomb" by Professor Dame Sally Davies, chief medical officer for England earlier his year - the study's findings are of particular importance in helping to identify where safe reductions in antibiotic prescribing could potentially be made. Patients were asked if they 'expected', 'hoped for' or 'asked for' antibiotics when consulting their doctor for acute cough, as part of a study involving 3,402 patients across 13 countries. 'Expecting antibiotics' (patient's perception of what the clinician might do) differs from 'hoping for' an antibiotic prescription, and from expressing hope for an antibiotic prescription (asking for antibiotic treatment).