General practitioners' perceptions of antimicrobial resistance: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• General Practice
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global health threat.
• Antibiotic prescribing quality interventions often focus on AMR.
• General practitioners (GPs) are key prescribers, yet their perceptions of AMR are under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore general practitioners' (GPs) perceptions of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
• To understand the factors influencing GPs' antibiotic prescribing decisions in the context of AMR.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing grounded theory.
• In-depth interviews conducted with 40 general practitioners (GPs).
• Participants were selected from high and average fluoroquinolone prescribing practices.

Main Results:

• GPs acknowledge AMR as a growing problem but perceive limited impact on their daily practice.
• Conflicting views exist regarding the direct link between personal prescribing and patient outcomes.
• GPs desire more local resistance data from microbiologists and enhanced education on AMR.
• Some GPs fear increased awareness of local resistance may lead to prescribing more potent antibiotics.

Conclusions:

• AMR is one of several factors influencing GP antibiotic prescribing, not always the primary concern.
• Interventions promoting cautious antibiotic use must consider multiple influences on prescribing.
• Local resistance data could be valuable but may inadvertently increase broad-spectrum antibiotic use.