Antibiotics Usage and Avoidance in Germany and Poland: Attitudes and Knowledge of Patients, Physicians, and Pharmacists
<b>Introduction:</b> Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant global health threat, partly due to the overprescription of antibiotics. Understanding prescribers’ behaviors and identifying knowledge gaps and misconceptions are essential for addressing antibiotic misuse and inappropria...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Antibiotics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/13/12/1188 |
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| Summary: | <b>Introduction:</b> Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant global health threat, partly due to the overprescription of antibiotics. Understanding prescribers’ behaviors and identifying knowledge gaps and misconceptions are essential for addressing antibiotic misuse and inappropriate use. <b>Methods:</b> Through online questionnaires, this study surveyed key stakeholders in outpatient antibiotic use in Germany (DE) and Poland (PL), including patients, physicians, and pharmacists. <b>Results:</b> Despite generally good knowledge about antibiotics, discrepancies exist between physicians’ perceptions and patients’ actual expectations regarding antibiotic prescriptions. Physicians often misjudge patients’ attitudes toward antibiotics, with many patients having a neutral stance. This study found a strong physician interest in non-antibiotic treatments and patient willingness to engage with information about antibiotics. <b>Conclusions:</b> Improved communication between healthcare providers and patients was identified as a potential measure for enhancing antimicrobial stewardship, with education on effective alternative treatments, such as symptomatic therapies, as a likely strategy to reduce antibiotic reliance. |
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| ISSN: | 2079-6382 |