Communication with Physicians: a Tool for Improving Appropriate Antibiotic Use in the Absence of Regulatory Mechanisms

Abstract

The purpose of our review is to emphasize the impact of effective communication in bringing a behavioral change in prescribers’ habits in absence of mandatory guidelines on usage of antibiotics. The unceasing surge of inappropriate antimicrobial use has resulted in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is a fall out of injudicious use by healthcare workers, be it an empiric treatment owing to inadequate diagnosis, inappropriate prescribing behavior attributable to insufficient knowledge and training, or lack of confidence and financial incentives. Patient factors contributing to AMR are self-medication due to over-the-counter drug availability and patients’ attitude. Another vital driver of AMR is the non-therapeutic abuse of food animals. Despite the existence of policies regarding licensing and sale of antibiotics, their implementation is not uniform and regulated. It is observed that conditioning strategies like trainings, audits, and feedbacks affect human behavior and can prove to be an important tool in antimicrobial stewardship program. It has been perceived that mere presence of regulatory framework is not enough but a productive communication with physicians can drive a behavioral change in prescribing antibiotics.