Categorical Risk Perception Drives Variability in Antibiotic Prescribing in the Emergency Department: A Mixed Methods Observational Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Adherence to evidence-based antibiotic therapy guidelines for treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) varies widely among clinicians. Understanding this variability is key for reducing inappropriate prescribing.

Objective

To measure how emergency department (ED) clinicians' perceptions of antibiotic prescribing risks affect their decision-making.

Design

Clinician survey based on fuzzy-trace theory, a theory of medical decision-making, combined with retrospective data on prescribing outcomes for URI/pneumonia visits in two EDs. The survey predicts the categorical meanings, or gists, that individuals derive from given information.

Participants

ED physicians, residents, and physician assistants (PAs) who completed surveys and treated pati

SUBMITTER: Klein EY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5602760 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature