All hospitals are now required to have some sort of an an antibiotic management (stewarship) program. The goal of these programs is to avoid antibiotic overuse, minimize antimicrobial resistance, reduce adverse events and limit expense.
Investigators from the University of Miami School of Medicine surveyed faculty and resident physicians to learn of attitudes, perceptions and knowledge about the antimicrobial resistance and their stewardship programs. The results appear encouraging, as most respondents were concerned about resistance when prescribing antibiotics, agreed that antibiotics are overused, felt inappropriate use is professionally unethical, and that others, but not themselves, overprescribe antibiotics.
The last point is both enlightening and reminiscent. This is much like hand hygiene. Everyone agrees that hand hygiene is important and everyone overestimates their degree of (stellar) adherence with washing their hands.
Reconciling physician practice with self reported adherence, either with hand hygiene or antibiotic prescribing, will continue to be a challenge.
