چکیده (انگلیسی):

Background:Antibiotic overprescription is a worldwide problem. Decisions regarding antibiotic prescription for
respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are influenced by medical and non-medical factors.
Methods:In family medicine practices in Białystok, Poland, family medicine residents directly observed
consultations with patients with RTI symptoms. The observing residents completed a questionnaire including
patient data, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, any prescribed antibiotic, and assessment of ten patient pressure factors.
Results:Of 1546 consultations of patients with RTIs, 54.26 % resulted in antibiotic prescription. Antibiotic
prescription was strongly associated with rales (OR 26.90, 95 % CI 9.00–80.40), tonsillar exudates (OR 13.03, 95 % CI
7.10–23.80), and wheezing (OR 14.72, 95 % CI 7.70–28.10). The likelihood of antibiotic prescription was increased by
a >7-day disease duration (OR 3.94, 95 % CI 2.80–5.50), purulent nasal discharge (OR 3.87, 95 % CI 2.40–6.10),
starting self-medication with antibiotics (OR 4.11, 95 % CI 2.30–7.30), and direct request for antibiotics (OR 1.87,
95 % CI 1.30–2.80). Direct request not to prescribe antibiotics decreased the likelihood of receiving antibiotics
(OR 0.34, 95 % CI 0.27–0.55).
Conclusion:While clinical signs and symptoms principally impact prescribing decisions, patient factors also
contribute. The most influential patient pressure factors were starting self-medication with antibiotics, and directly
requesting antibiotic prescription or no antibiotic prescription. Interventions aiming to improve clinical sign and
symptom interpretation and to help doctors resist direct patient pressure could be beneficial for reducing
unnecessary antibiotic prescribing.