Antimicrobial Resistance: Physicians' and Pharmacists' Perspective

Aims:The aim of this study was to evaluate pharmacists' and physicians' attitudes and knowledge about antimicrobial treatment and resistance and based on the results to identify possible gaps and suggest opportunities for collaboration between the two professions. Methods:The physician's questionnaire consisted of 47 items and the pharmacists' questionnaire consisted of 50 items. Participants were asked to identify situations in which they were more likely to prescribe/dispense an antimicrobial without a firm indication, to identify the greatest contributors to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among health care workers, to rate statements related to AMR, how frequently they used different sources of information and to rate the possible causes of AMR. Furthermore, preparedness for specific actions in practice was self-rated and knowledge was evaluated. The questionnaires were anonymous and participation in the study was voluntary. Results:This research included 180 community pharmacists and 181 physicians. As many as 76 (42.0%) physicians stated they would prescribe an antimicrobial when unsure whether the infection was of viral or bacterial etiology. More than half of the participants considered family medicine doctors the greatest contributors to AMR (N = 216, 59.8%), followed by patients (N = 175, 48.5%). In questions focusing on knowledge, physicians scored significantly higher compared with pharmacists (4.06 +/- 1.01 vs. 3.71 +/- 1.08,p = 0.001). Conclusion:This research revealed practices among pharmacists and physicians that should be improved and it highlighted gaps in knowledge by both professions. More attention should be given to patient consultation when dispensing and prescribing an antimicrobial as this may reduce their contribution to AMR.

Automated summary

This study revealed that many physicians would prescribe antibiotics when uncertain of the infection's etiology, while over half of the participants considered family doctors to be the biggest contributors to antimicrobial resistance. Physicians scored significantly higher in knowledge compared to pharmacists, indicating a clear gap between the two professions in this area.