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A study of antibiotic prescribing: the experience of Lithuanian and Russian GPs

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Central European Journal of Medicine

Abstract

Background. Globally, general practitioners (GPs) write more than 90% of all antibiotic prescriptions. This study examines the experiences of Lithuanian and Russian GPs in antibiotic prescription for upper respiratory tract infections, including their perceptions of when it is not indicated clinically or pharmacologically. Methods. 22 Lithuanian and 29 Russian GPs participated in five focus group discussions. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results. We identified four main thematic categories: patients’ faith in antibiotics as medication for upper respiratory tract infections; patient potential to influence a GP’s decision to prescribe antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections; impediments perceived by GPs in advocating clinically grounded antibiotic prescribing with their patients, and strategies applied in physician-patient negotiation about antibiotic prescribing for upper respiratory tract infections. Conclusions. Understanding the nature of physician-patient interaction is critical to the effective pursuit of clinically grounded antibiotic use as this study undertaken in Lithuania and the Russian Federation has shown. Both physicians and patients must be targeted to ensure correct antibiotic use. Further, GPs should be supported in enhancing their communication skills about antibiotic use with their patients and encouraged to implement a shared decision-making model in their practices.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania

    Lina Jaruseviciene

  2. Department of Public Health, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania

    Ruta Radzeviciene-Jurgute & Arnoldas Jurgutis

  3. Copenhagen HIV Programme, ISIM, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Jeffrey V. Lazarus

  4. Blekinge Competence Centre, Blekinge County Council, Karlskrona, Sweden

    Ingvar Ovhed & Eva L. Strandberg

  5. Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, General Practice/Family Medicine, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

    Eva L. Strandberg

  6. Research Unit of General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark

    Lars Bjerrum

  7. Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Lars Bjerrum

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  1. Lina Jaruseviciene
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  2. Ruta Radzeviciene-Jurgute
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  3. Jeffrey V. Lazarus
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  4. Arnoldas Jurgutis
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  6. Eva L. Strandberg
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  7. Lars Bjerrum
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Correspondence to Lina Jaruseviciene.

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Jaruseviciene, L., Radzeviciene-Jurgute, R., Lazarus, J.V. et al. A study of antibiotic prescribing: the experience of Lithuanian and Russian GPs. cent.eur.j.med 7, 790–799 (2012). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11536-012-0062-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11536-012-0062-4

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