The case for 'conservative pharmacotherapy'

In the modern era of rapid advances in the fieLd of antimicrobiaL 'precision dosing' through therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), there is growing pressure to adopt new technoLogies and expand the number of antimicrobids managed with TDM and/or the compLexity of TDM methods. For many clinicians, it may seem inevitable that TDM must improve patient outcomes. However, based on the evidence to date, this concept remains largely a hypothesis. Conversely, it is plausible that focusing on TDM may distract from careful cLinicaL monitoring of the patient for efficacy and drug-related toxicities and shift finite resources from other valuable interventions. In this articLe we make the case for embracing criticaL appraisaL of precision dosing, remaining skepticaL until persuaded by compelling evidence, and adopting new technoLogies only when they have proven their vaLue over competing priorities; that is, we make the case for using 'conservative pharmacotherapy'.

Automated summary

The article discusses the skepticism surrounding the use of precision dosing and therapeutic drug monitoring in the rapidly advancing field of antimicrobials, questioning whether it can truly improve patient outcomes. It advocates for critical appraisal and maintaining a skeptical attitude, while emphasizing the need for compelling evidence before adopting new technologies.