It is a smaller study of Swedish doctors' attitudes towards antibiotics, which consists of two different survey studies.
In the first, 357 doctors were included who answered questions about their own use of antibiotics, where they answered as private individuals. In the second, 255 of the same doctors were included who answered questions about how they prescribe antibiotics to patients.
Affect each other
The results, which have been published in the journal Kyklos, show that the doctors who perceive that their colleagues are restrictive with antibiotics are themselves more restrictive.
It is important to be aware that doctors are highly influenced by what other doctors think. If you are surrounded by colleagues who follow recommendations and guidelines, it is good, says Elina Lampi, associate professor of economics at the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg and one of the researchers behind the study.
The surveys also show that the doctors' private attitude affects how they act at work. The doctors who themselves answered that they avoid taking antibiotics are more restrictive in prescribing it.
The connection between doctors' professional and private behavior is interesting from a policy perspective. It is good to be aware that private attitudes and behaviors affect antibiotic prescribing.
Should be used correctly
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections and Elina Lampi is careful to point out that the doctor always weighs the benefit for the patient against the long-term risks of antibiotic resistance.
If a doctor prescribes antibiotics to you, you should take them, it is absolutely not good with an underconsumption either, she says.
Too large an antibiotic use leads to resistant bacteria, which is a growing global threat to public health.
