An assessment of factors influencing the prescribing of antibiotics in Acute Respiratory Illness: A questionnaire study

  • D Hoffman Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of Natal
  • J Botha Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of Natal
  • I Kleinschmidt Medical research Council of South Africa
Keywords: Respiratory illness, antibiotics, physicians, family, patient education

Abstract

Non-clinical factors are major determinants in the decision to prescribe medication. This study was prompted by the impression that Primary Care Physicians in South Africa are constantly under pressure to prescribe antibiotics. The objective was to assess patients' views and expectations, regarding their need for antibiotic therapy, and compare this with the doctor's perception of this expectation.

Author Biographies

D Hoffman, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of Natal
MBChB, DOH, MClinPharm Department of Pharmacology
J Botha, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of Natal
Department of Pharmacology
I Kleinschmidt, Medical research Council of South Africa
BSc, MSc, PhD
Issue
Vol 45 No 6 (2003)
Section
Original Research
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