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 50th centile to the 44th to 45th 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.
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