Barriers and facilitators for the implementation of delayed-prescription of antibiotics in family medicine: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Delayed prescription is a strategy used in various countries to reduce antibiotic overuse and contend the effects of antibiotic resistance; however this practice is not yet used in Switzerland. The present qualitative study was thus conducted to investigate Swiss patients’ attitu...
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12200-8 |
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| author | Aline Rinaldi Serena Petrocchi Luca Gabutti Anna Bullo Peter Johannes Schulz |
| author_facet | Aline Rinaldi Serena Petrocchi Luca Gabutti Anna Bullo Peter Johannes Schulz |
| author_sort | Aline Rinaldi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Delayed prescription is a strategy used in various countries to reduce antibiotic overuse and contend the effects of antibiotic resistance; however this practice is not yet used in Switzerland. The present qualitative study was thus conducted to investigate Swiss patients’ attitudes towards the possible implementation of delayed prescription. Method Five focus groups with the general population based on a fixed script of questions to elicit opinions on delayed prescription. Results A total of 29 participants were involved (M = 39,76 years of age, SD = 15,91; 19 females). Participants naturally polarized into two distinct groups: one expressing attitudes against delayed prescription and the other in favor of such practice. One driver for their opposing stance was their pre-existing negative attitudes about the use of antibiotics. Other relevant themes contributing to the formation of one’s opinion on delayed prescription included the participants’ perceived convenience of this prescribing practice and their desired level of autonomy during and after a medical encounter. Another theme that emerged was the potential impact of these stances on the interpersonal relationship between doctors and their patients. Conclusion The present study highlights the existence of several barriers and facilitators perceived by patients. Should delayed prescription be implemented in Switzerland, these results will inform policymakers about patients’ attitudes towards the practice. Doctors may also benefit from this study as it identifies the limitations to consider when discussing treatment options with patients. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2ee82074a94b447e8c6b4ec81431cba4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-2ee82074a94b447e8c6b4ec81431cba42025-01-12T12:13:11ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-01-0125111110.1186/s12913-024-12200-8Barriers and facilitators for the implementation of delayed-prescription of antibiotics in family medicine: a qualitative studyAline Rinaldi0Serena Petrocchi1Luca Gabutti2Anna Bullo3Peter Johannes Schulz4Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society, Università Della Svizzera ItalianaFaculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Family Medicine, Università Della Svizzera ItalianaFaculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Family Medicine, Università Della Svizzera ItalianaFaculty of Communication, Culture and Society, Università Della Svizzera ItalianaFaculty of Communication, Culture and Society, Università Della Svizzera ItalianaAbstract Background Delayed prescription is a strategy used in various countries to reduce antibiotic overuse and contend the effects of antibiotic resistance; however this practice is not yet used in Switzerland. The present qualitative study was thus conducted to investigate Swiss patients’ attitudes towards the possible implementation of delayed prescription. Method Five focus groups with the general population based on a fixed script of questions to elicit opinions on delayed prescription. Results A total of 29 participants were involved (M = 39,76 years of age, SD = 15,91; 19 females). Participants naturally polarized into two distinct groups: one expressing attitudes against delayed prescription and the other in favor of such practice. One driver for their opposing stance was their pre-existing negative attitudes about the use of antibiotics. Other relevant themes contributing to the formation of one’s opinion on delayed prescription included the participants’ perceived convenience of this prescribing practice and their desired level of autonomy during and after a medical encounter. Another theme that emerged was the potential impact of these stances on the interpersonal relationship between doctors and their patients. Conclusion The present study highlights the existence of several barriers and facilitators perceived by patients. Should delayed prescription be implemented in Switzerland, these results will inform policymakers about patients’ attitudes towards the practice. Doctors may also benefit from this study as it identifies the limitations to consider when discussing treatment options with patients.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12200-8Delayed prescriptionAntibioticsDoctor-patient communicationGPsAttitudesGeneral population |
| spellingShingle | Aline Rinaldi Serena Petrocchi Luca Gabutti Anna Bullo Peter Johannes Schulz Barriers and facilitators for the implementation of delayed-prescription of antibiotics in family medicine: a qualitative study BMC Health Services Research Delayed prescription Antibiotics Doctor-patient communication GPs Attitudes General population |
| title | Barriers and facilitators for the implementation of delayed-prescription of antibiotics in family medicine: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Barriers and facilitators for the implementation of delayed-prescription of antibiotics in family medicine: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Barriers and facilitators for the implementation of delayed-prescription of antibiotics in family medicine: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Barriers and facilitators for the implementation of delayed-prescription of antibiotics in family medicine: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Barriers and facilitators for the implementation of delayed-prescription of antibiotics in family medicine: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | barriers and facilitators for the implementation of delayed prescription of antibiotics in family medicine a qualitative study |
| topic | Delayed prescription Antibiotics Doctor-patient communication GPs Attitudes General population |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12200-8 |
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