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Delayed/back up antibiotic prescriptions: what do the public think?
Cliodna A M McNulty1, Donna M Lecky1, Meredith K D Hawking1
1Primary Care Unit, Public Health England, Microbiology Department, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, UK.
Most people do not understand delayed antibiotic prescriptions. Increased public understanding and acceptance of this strategy could improve its use in general practice.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- General Practice
- Antibiotic Stewardship
Background:
- Delayed antibiotic prescribing is a strategy to reduce antibiotic use.
- Understanding public perception is crucial for effective implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the general public's understanding, acceptance, and use of delayed antibiotic prescriptions.
- To identify factors influencing public opinion on this prescribing strategy.
Main Methods:
- A face-to-face computer-assisted survey was conducted with 1625 adults in England.
- Multistage sampling ensured a representative sample, with data collected in January 2014.
- Key outcomes included understanding of the term, favorability towards the strategy, and reported use.
Main Results:
- Only 17% fully understood delayed antibiotic prescriptions; 72% were unaware of the term.
- Public opinion was divided: 36-39% favored, while 28-30% opposed offering delayed antibiotics.
- Awareness and acceptance varied, with women and older individuals more opposed. Only 4% reported being offered a delayed antibiotic.
Conclusions:
- Low public understanding and acceptance may limit the uptake of delayed antibiotic prescribing.
- Further research is needed to explore the reasons behind varying public opinions on this strategy.
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