Do Delayed Prescriptions Reduce the Use of Antibiotics for the Common Cold?

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Do Delayed Prescriptions Reduce the Use of Antibiotics for the Common Cold?
Authors:	Arroll, B., Kenealy, T., Kerse, N.
Source:	Journal of Family Practice. Apr2002, Vol. 51 Issue 4, p324-328. 5p. 1 Diagram, 3 Charts.
Subjects:	Medical prescriptions, Antibiotics, Family medicine, Respiratory infections, Common cold
Geographic Terms:	Auckland (N.Z.), New Zealand
Abstract:	OBJECTIVE: To test the use of a delayed prescription compared with instructions to take antibiotics immediately in patients presenting to family physicians with upper respiratory tract infections (common colds). STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled single-blind study. POPULATION: Subjects were 129 patients presenting with the common cold who requested antibiotics or whose physicians thought they wanted them. All patients were in a family practice in Auckland, New Zealand, consisting of 15 physicians (9 male, 6 female) who had completed medical school between 1973 and 1992. OUTCOMES MEASURED: Outcomes were antibiotic use (taking at least 1 dose of the antibiotic), symptom scores, and responses to the satisfaction questions asked at the end of the study. RESULTS: Patients in the delayed-prescription group were less likely to use antibiotics (48%, 95% CI, 35%-60%) than were those instructed to take antibiotics immediately (89%, 95% CI, 76%-94%). Daily body temperature was higher in the immediate-prescription group. The lack of difference in the symptom score between the 2 groups suggests that there is no danger in delaying antibiotic prescriptions for the common cold. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed prescriptions are a safe and effective means of reducing antibiotic consumption in patients with the common cold. Clarification of patient expectations for antibiotics may result in a lower prescription rate. When the patient demands a prescription, delaying its delivery has the potential to provide gentle education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	OBJECTIVE: To test the use of a delayed prescription compared with instructions to take antibiotics immediately in patients presenting to family physicians with upper respiratory tract infections (common colds). STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled single-blind study. POPULATION: Subjects were 129 patients presenting with the common cold who requested antibiotics or whose physicians thought they wanted them. All patients were in a family practice in Auckland, New Zealand, consisting of 15 physicians (9 male, 6 female) who had completed medical school between 1973 and 1992. OUTCOMES MEASURED: Outcomes were antibiotic use (taking at least 1 dose of the antibiotic), symptom scores, and responses to the satisfaction questions asked at the end of the study. RESULTS: Patients in the delayed-prescription group were less likely to use antibiotics (48%, 95% CI, 35%-60%) than were those instructed to take antibiotics immediately (89%, 95% CI, 76%-94%). Daily body temperature was higher in the immediate-prescription group. The lack of difference in the symptom score between the 2 groups suggests that there is no danger in delaying antibiotic prescriptions for the common cold. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed prescriptions are a safe and effective means of reducing antibiotic consumption in patients with the common cold. Clarification of patient expectations for antibiotics may result in a lower prescription rate. When the patient demands a prescription, delaying its delivery has the potential to provide gentle education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	00943509