2024/05/08 by Shan Huang, Hannes Ullrich · 1 voice · 2 citations
Health Professions · Immunology and Microbiology · Medicine · #Antibiotic Use and Resistance #Patient Satisfaction in Healthcare #Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes
paper · pdf · doi:10.3368/jhr.0523-12900r1
openalex publication_date 2024/05/08 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
<h3>Abstract</h3> In the fight against antibiotic resistance, reducing antibiotic consumption while preserving healthcare quality presents a critical health policy challenge. We investigate the role of practice styles in patients’ antibiotic intake using exogenous variation in patient-physician assignment. Practice style heterogeneity explains 49% of the differences in overall antibiotic use and 83% of the differences in second-line antibiotic use between primary care providers. We find no evidence that high prescribing is linked to better treatment quality or fewer adverse health outcomes. Policies improving physician decision-making, particularly among high-prescribers, may be effective in reducing antibiotic consumption while sustaining healthcare quality.