Comparing GPs’ antibiotic prescribing decisions to a clinical prediction rule: an online vignette study

Martine Nurek; Alastair D Hay; Olga Kostopoulou

doi:10.3399/BJGP.2020.0802

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The differentiation between bacterial and viral infection in URIs
Ryuichi Ohta

Published on: 22 March 2023

Published on: (22 March 2023)
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The differentiation between bacterial and viral infection in URIs
Ryuichi Ohta, Family physician, Unnan City Hospital, Japan
The effective usage of antibiotics can be vital for anti-microbial stewardship and be supported by criteria assessing the severity of paediatric URIs. As this study shows, general physicians recognize that the factors of illness duration, temperature, age, and recession can be used to prescribe antibiotics in paediatric URIs.¹ On the other hand, wheezing, asthma, and vomiting are not related to the prescription of antibiotics. This gap should be investigated in the context of medical education.
General practitioners can be strict about the differentiation between viral and bacterial infection. Asthma exacerbations and wheezing can be triggered mainly by viral infections. Viral infections can cause vomiting. General practitioners are educated not to prescribe antibiotics for viral infections.²These research results may clarify the appropriate attitudes of GPs about the usage of antibiotics. Thus, the clarification of the perceptions of the GPs regarding the usage of antibiotics should be clarified in the cases of asthma, wheezing, and vomiting. The GP’s perception regarding these factors can benefit effective education for managing paediatric URIs.

References
1. Nurek M, Hay AD, Kostopoulou O. Comparing GPs' antibiotic prescribing decisions to a clinical prediction rule: an online vignette study. Br J Gen Pract 2023;73(728): e176-e185. DOI: 10.3399/BJGP.2020.0802.
2. C...
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The effective usage of antibiotics can be vital for anti-microbial stewardship and be supported by criteria assessing the severity of paediatric URIs. As this study shows, general physicians recognize that the factors of illness duration, temperature, age, and recession can be used to prescribe antibiotics in paediatric URIs.¹ On the other hand, wheezing, asthma, and vomiting are not related to the prescription of antibiotics. This gap should be investigated in the context of medical education.
General practitioners can be strict about the differentiation between viral and bacterial infection. Asthma exacerbations and wheezing can be triggered mainly by viral infections. Viral infections can cause vomiting. General practitioners are educated not to prescribe antibiotics for viral infections.²These research results may clarify the appropriate attitudes of GPs about the usage of antibiotics. Thus, the clarification of the perceptions of the GPs regarding the usage of antibiotics should be clarified in the cases of asthma, wheezing, and vomiting. The GP’s perception regarding these factors can benefit effective education for managing paediatric URIs.

References
1. Nurek M, Hay AD, Kostopoulou O. Comparing GPs' antibiotic prescribing decisions to a clinical prediction rule: an online vignette study. Br J Gen Pract 2023;73(728): e176-e185. DOI: 10.3399/BJGP.2020.0802.
2. Chandra Deb L, McGrath BM, Schlosser L, et al. Antibiotic Prescribing Practices for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections Among Primary Care Providers: A Descriptive Study. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022;9(7):ofac302. DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac302.
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Competing Interests: None declared.