Antibiotic prescribing behavior among general practitioners - a questionnaire-based study in Germany.

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Infectious Diseases
• General Practice

Background:

• Investigates barriers and facilitators of antibiotic use for acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) among general practitioners (GPs) in Germany.
• Addresses the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its impact on public health.
• Focuses on the prescribing behavior of GPs, a key determinant in managing ARTIs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the knowledge and practices of German GPs regarding antibiotic use in ARTIs.
• To identify factors influencing GPs' prescribing decisions and their awareness of AMR.
• To evaluate the implementation of strategies aimed at rational antibiotic prescription.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a pre-tested, five-point Likert scale questionnaire.
• The questionnaire covered awareness of AMR, antibiotic use, guidelines, and sociodemographic factors.
• Data were collected from 987 GPs in eastern Germany, with a response rate of 34% (340 GPs).

Main Results:

• Most GPs recognized the multifactorial nature of multidrug resistance and believed their prescribing influenced it.
• While 99.1% knew about the 'delayed prescription' strategy, only 29.4% used it frequently.
• GPs with over 25 years of experience reported less individual influence on drug resistance compared to those with less experience.

Conclusions:

• German GPs possess substantial knowledge about AMR causes but lag in implementing rational antibiotic prescribing measures.
• There is a strong awareness of AMR among participating GPs, yet practical application of strategies like delayed prescribing needs improvement.
• Targeted interventions are necessary to enhance rational antibiotic prescription among GPs to combat AMR effectively.