Resources for general practices to reduce antibiotic use
Based on research evidence, this website provides tips on how to use three strategies more often in practice to promote prudent antibiotic use and maintain patient satisfaction.
Maximising accurate diagnosis and appropriate use of antibiotics is a changing field in primary care – this website has really useful evidence based guidance which will help all of us who prescribe in general practice.
Amanda Howe FRCGP: GP for 35 years, Professor of Primary Care at Norwich Medical School, and President of RCGP.
Can help when you are uncertain about illness progression and providing clear information can help address patient concerns
Benefits of optimising antibiotic prescribing
Supporting patients to self-care for acute infections can be beneficial in the short and long term.
Reduce future consultations
Consistent messages can help to reduce patient expectations for antibiotics and reduce re-consultations and future consultations for self-limiting infections [1,2].
Reduce risk to patients
Levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria within individual patients are likely to increase after taking antibiotics, an effect which may persist for up to 12 months [3-5]. Prudent use of antibiotics can reduce the risk of patients getting an antibiotic-resistant infection.
Improve quality of care
Optimising antibiotic prescribing can help your practice meet prescribing and quality care targets.
