Impact of COVID-19 on antibiotic usage in primary care: a retrospective analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to many changes in the medical practice, including a wider access to tele-consultations. It not only influenced the type of treatment but also shed light on mistakes often made by doctors, such as the abuse of antibiotics. This study aimed to evaluate the antibiotic treatment, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antibiotic prescribing during a GP's visit. The retrospective medical history analysis involved data from a first-contact medical center (Pantamed, Olsztyn, Poland), from 1 January 2018 to 31 May 2023. Quantities of prescribed antibiotics were assessed and converted into the so-called active list for a given working day of adult patients (> 18 years of age). Statistical analysis based on collective data was performed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a decline in the number of medical consultations has been observed, both remotely via tele-medicine and in personal appointments, compared to the data from before the pandemic: n = 95,251 versus n = 79,619. Also, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a decrease in the total amount of prescribed antibiotics relative to the data before the pandemic (2.44 vs. 4.54; p > 0.001). The decrease in the quantities of prescribed antibiotics did not depend on the way doctor consultations were provided. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to changing the family doctors' management of respiratory infections. The ability to identify the etiological agent-the SARS-COV2 virus-contributed to the reduction of the antibiotics use.