National Trends in the Use of Antibiotics by Primary Care Physicians for Adult Patients With Cough

Abstract

OVER THE past few years, substantial concern has accompanied the documented rise in antibiotic resistance among common respiratory pathogens.^1-5 Initial work primarily focused on the prevalence of resistance among hospitalized patients but more recently has expanded to identify antibiotic-resistant pathogens in several ambulatory care settings.^6-9 Additional evidence has linked prior antibiotic use with the identification of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.^6,9,10 As a result, several authors^11-16 have emphasized the importance of more appropriately regulating the use of antibiotics for common outpatient illnesses as a means to combat the problem of rising antimicrobial resistance. Whether these efforts at improving physician knowledge about the risks of excessive antibiotic use will ultimately lead to any reductions in antibiotic use is unknown. However, an understanding of current trends in antibiotic prescribing will be useful for interpreting any future trends in antibiotic use.