A Qualitative Study of Antibiotic Prescribing Decision of Physicians and Strategy of Antibiotics Prescription

Hyunmin Cho; Juhee Park; Dong-Sook Kim

doi:10.15384/kjhp.2016.16.3.203

Korean J Health Promot > Volume 16(3); 2016 > Article

Cho, Park, and Kim: A Qualitative Study of Antibiotic Prescribing Decision of Physicians and Strategy of Antibiotics Prescription

Original Article

Korean Journal of Health Promotion 2016;16(3):203-213.

Published online: January 20, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15384/kjhp.2016.16.3.203

A Qualitative Study of Antibiotic Prescribing Decision of Physicians and Strategy of Antibiotics Prescription

Hyunmin Cho, Juhee Park, Dong-Sook Kim

Department of Research, Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, Wonju, Korea

Corresponding author: Dong-Sook Kim, PhD Department of Research, Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, 60 Hyeoksin-ro, Wonju 26465, Korea
Tel: +82-33-739-0922, Fax: +82-33-811-5842 E-mail: sttone@hira.or.kr

Received July 20, 2016 Accepted September 12, 2016

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

ABSTRACT

Background

Korea has high prescribing rate and rising antibiotic resistance. This study was conducted to understand why primary physicians prescribe antibiotics for acute respiratory infections and to explore the factors that influence antibiotic resistance, and so to suggest strategy to reduce antibiotic resistance.

Methods

A qualitative exploratory approach was used using 4 focus groups composed of physicians from different area. A semi-structured guide was applied in obtaining the physicians' opinions. Common themes were extracted by authors, which were used to gather results and draw conclusion.

Results

Participants acknowledged multiple factors such as clinical factor and competitive environment are involved in physicians' decision of antibiotic prescribing. They identified that causes of rising antibiotic resistance were shortage of information, discontinuation of taking antibiotics, and other system factors.

Conclusion

Participants were certain that less prescribing antibiotics and selecting appropriate antibiotics might be method to reduce antibiotic resistance. To change the prescribing behavior, it should be provided periodically for community physicians with prescribing information and specific guidelines for antibiotics resistance. Patients should be also noticed about antibiotic medication information more accurately. Including prescription incentive policy, improvement of healthcare system will be carried out at the same time.

Keywords: Antibiotics, Antimicrobial durg Resistance, Focus group interview, Information distribution, Delivery of health care

Figure 1.

Policy alternative for appropriate use of antibiotics.

Table 1.

Interview participants

	G1			G2			G3			G4
	M		F	M		F	M		F	M		F
Age
30s	1		–	1		–	–		–	–		–
40s	2		1	3		–	2		–	1		–
50s	1		–	3		–	2		–	5		–
70s	–		–	1		–	–		–	–		–
Major
Physician		3			3			3			3
ENT		1			2			–			3
Pediatrician		–			2			–			–
General practitioner		1			1			1			–
Total		5			8			4			6

Abbreviations: M, male; F, female; ENT, ear, nose, and throat.

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