Antibiotic prescribing and patient satisfaction

Reduced antibiotic prescribing is associated with lower patient satisfaction on the national General Practice Patient Survey, according to a new study by King's College London. The study found a 25 per cent lower rate of antibiotic prescribing by a GP practice corresponded to a 5-6 point reduction on GP satisfaction rankings. The study, published in the British Journal of General Practice , analysed records from 7,800 general practices - 96 per cent of practices in England - and the NHS GP Patient Survey. The Survey measures patients' satisfaction with their GP and GP practice and is a component of the NHS Quality Outcomes Framework that informs GP's pay-for-performance. After taking into account demographic and practice factors, antibiotic prescribing was a significant determinant of patient experience. For example, for a practice that prescribed 25 per cent fewer antibiotics than the national average, there was a corresponding reduction in the national GP satisfaction rankings from the 50^th centile to the 44^th to 45^th centile. Dr Mark Ashworth, GP and lead author of the study from the King's Division of Health and Social Care Research, said: 'Many patients come in asking for antibiotics when they have viral infections such as colds, coughs, sore throats, or the 'flu, but antibiotics cannot treat viruses.