Korea has high prescribing rate and rising antibiotic resistance. This study was conducted to understand why primary physicians prescribe antibiotics for acute respiratory infections and to explore the factors that influence antibiotic resistance, and so to suggest strategy to reduce antibiotic resistance.
A qualitative exploratory approach was used using 4 focus groups composed of physicians from different area. A semi-structured guide was applied in obtaining the physicians' opinions. Common themes were extracted by authors, which were used to gather results and draw conclusion.
Participants acknowledged multiple factors such as clinical factor and competitive environment are involved in physicians' decision of antibiotic prescribing. They identified that causes of rising antibiotic resistance were shortage of information, discontinuation of taking antibiotics, and other system factors.
Participants were certain that less prescribing antibiotics and selecting appropriate antibiotics might be method to reduce antibiotic resistance. To change the prescribing behavior, it should be provided periodically for community physicians with prescribing information and specific guidelines for antibiotics resistance. Patients should be also noticed about antibiotic medication information more accurately. Including prescription incentive policy, improvement of healthcare system will be carried out at the same time.
Policy alternative for appropriate use of antibiotics.
Interview participants
| G1 | G2 | G3 | G4 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | F | M | F | M | F | M | F | |||||
| Age | ||||||||||||
| 30s | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | ||||
| 40s | 2 | 1 | 3 | – | 2 | – | 1 | – | ||||
| 50s | 1 | – | 3 | – | 2 | – | 5 | – | ||||
| 70s | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | ||||
| Major | ||||||||||||
| Physician | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||
| ENT | 1 | 2 | – | 3 | ||||||||
| Pediatrician | – | 2 | – | – | ||||||||
| General practitioner | 1 | 1 | 1 | – | ||||||||
| Total | 5 | 8 | 4 | 6 | ||||||||
Abbreviations: M, male; F, female; ENT, ear, nose, and throat.