A Case-Based Survey Concerning the Judicious Use of Antibiotics of Individuals: Results among subjects with no prior health care experience compared to health care professionals

Abstract

Objectives: To perform a cross-sectional survey of health care professionals and lay people on the appropriate use of antimicrobial drugs using a case-based approach. Methods: This study used a case-based survey as a tool to assess for proper antibacterial use. The survey included nine case-based scenarios involving common infectious diseases seen in the outpatient setting. Survey participants needed to assess the problem and determine if antibacterial therapy was appropriate now, not appropriate, or if the patient should be observed for 2-3 days before acting. Demographic information was also requested from the participants. Results: Thirty-one lay people and 35 professionals (pediatricians or family practice physicians) returned a completed survey. The mean (sd) cumulative scores for these two groups were 13.4 (4.45) and 21.3 (3.40), respectively. The range of scores for the lay persons was 5 to 23 and the range for the professionals was 15 to 27. The mean score for physicians was significantly greater than the mean score for lay persons. Implications: The survey results indicated that the professionals had a better understanding of the appropriate use of antibiotics versus the lay people.