This generally is tha fault of physicians overperscribing, and worse yet, the culture demanding antibiotics for things that do not require antimicrobial therapy.
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Agreed. For once I’d like to show an undercover video of one of my patients as I tell them I won’t be prescribing an antibiotic for their 10th “sinus infection” of the year ....you will see the immediate dirty looks, pout, and/or outright footstamping FITS people throw because you aren’t prescribing them an antibiotic. They are TOLD they need a Z-pack by their cousin, their aunt, their grandma, or their best friend and dam it, YOU’D better give it to them or they’re going to find another place to get it.
IMO, the gubmit needs to get on it and do a massive educational campaign and get people on board. No fever? You probably do NOT have an infection! You’ve been coughing for 2 weeks? Whatever. That’s not long enough for anyone to be concerned.
Go home, make some chicken soup and suck it up, or pretty soon we won’t be able to treat anything that matters.
...FITS people throw because you aren’t prescribing them an antibiotic.
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I understand the problem for you, but part of the blame must be put on the physicians for not adequately educating patients. It has been my observation that far too many docs assume that their patients are more knowledgeable than they actually are. It may be time-consuming, but the patients need to learn. Perhaps a print-out could be given to them. Even better, instead of having some stupid TV show on in the waiting room, perhaps a video done cartoon style could explain the difference between viral vs. bacterial infections, the rise of ABR bacteria, etc.