Impact of antimicrobial drug restrictions on doctors? behaviors

Authors: OĞUZ KARABAY, SALİH HOŞOĞLU, ERTUĞRUL GÜÇLÜ, ŞERİFE AKALIN, FATMA AYBALA ALTAY, EMSAL AYDIN, BAHADIR CEYLAN, AYGÜL ÇELİK, İLHAMİ ÇELİK, TUNA DEMİRDAL, KEZİBAN DEMİRLİ, NURETTİN ERBEN, ÜNAL ERKORKMAZ, SERPİL EROL, ÖMER EVİRGEN, İBAK GÖNEN, AYŞE EBRU GÜNER, TÜMER GÜVEN, AYTEN KADANALI, MÜCAHİDE ESRA KOÇOĞLU, ÖMER FARUK KÖKOĞLU, ABDULKADİR KÜÇÜKBAYRAK, FATMA SARĞIN, MAHMUT SÜNNETÇİOĞLU, ŞEBNEM ŞENOL, MELTEM IŞIKGÖZ TAŞBAKAN, RECEP TEKİN, VEDAT TURHAN, GÜRDAL YILMAZ, BEHİYE DEDE

Abstract: Background/aim: Broad-spectrum antibiotics have become available for use only with the approval of infectious disease specialists (IDSs) since 2003 in Turkey. This study aimed to analyze the tendencies of doctors who are not disease specialists (non-IDSs) towards the restriction of antibiotics. Materials and methods: A questionnaire form was prepared, which included a total of 22 questions about the impact of antibiotic restriction (AR) policy, the role of IDSs in the restriction, and the perception of this change in antibiotic consumption. The questionnaire was completed by each participating physician. Results: A total of 1906 specialists from 20 cities in Turkey participated in the study. Of those who participated, 1271 (67.5%) had ≤5 years of occupational experience (junior specialists = JSs) and 942 (49.4%) of them were physicians. Specialists having >5 years of occupational experience in their branch expressed that they followed the antibiotic guidelines more strictly than the JSs (P < 0.05) and 755 of physicians (88%) and 720 of surgeons (84.6%) thought that the AR policy was necessary and useful (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study indicated that the AR policy was supported by most of the specialists. Physicians supported this restriction policy more so than surgeons did.

Keywords: Antibiotic policy, antibiotic restriction, antibiotic usage, budget execution instructions, specialist

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