Medicines Management
Issue no 1, pp1-6
January/February 2002

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Patient leaflets help cut antibiotic use

Giving written and verbal advice to patients with acute bronchitis judged not to need antibiotics results in them being less likely to take them later, a study in general practice has shown.

The trial was designed to see whether or not sharing uncertainty over the value of prescribing antibiotics with patients with bronchitis, who were judged not to need them that day, affected their likelihood of later taking the drugs.

In all, 259 patients who presented with acute bronchitis were assessed by GPs. The 212 patients judged not to need antibiotics were then given standard verbal assurance and a prescription to use if their condition worsened. Half of the patients in the first group were also given an information leaflet.

All of the 47 remaining patients were thought to need antibiotics, and the GPs encouraged them to use their prescriptions. Fewer patients from the first group who received the leaflet took antibiotics compared with patients who did not receive a leaflet (49 vs 63). However, the number of patients who reconsulted with bronchitis was similar among patients given leaflets and those not given leaflets.

The authors say that sharing the uncertainty about whether or not to prescribe antibiotics with patients, and reassuring them with verbal and written advice, is a safe strategy, and reduces antibiotic use (BMJ 2002; 324: 91).