PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 434 - 18 Oct 2003

■ Resident physicians in the US are poorly informedabout the management of upper respiratory tractinfections (URTIs), and could be contributing toantibacterial resistance, according to US-basedresearchers. Survey data for 182 residents from 11primary-care programmes in south-east Michiganrevealed that the vast majority viewed the overuse ofantibacterials as a major factor in increasingantibacterial resistance. However, almost two-thirdswould prescribe antibacterials for exudativepharyngitis, almost one-third would prescribe anantibacterial when uncertain of a diagnosis, and manywould be willing to prescribe antibacterials for acutebronchitis, purulent nasal discharge and the commoncold. Notably, almost all physicians consideredthemselves adequately informed about URTItreatment.Fakih MG, et al. Do resident physicians use antibiotics appropriately intreating upper respiratory infections? A survey of 11 programs. ClinicalInfectious Diseases 37: 853-856, No. 6, 15 Sep 2003 800925336

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PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 18 Oct 2003 No. 4341173-5503/10/0434-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved