Research Highlights the Impact of Doctors' Trust in Patients on Antibiotic Prescriptions

A recent study supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation offers new insights into how the level of trust between doctors and patients influences the prescribing of antibiotics. Global efforts to combat bacterial resistance are hindered by the unnecessary use of antibiotics, especially in cases where viral illnesses like the common cold do not require such treatment. Typically, general practitioners (GPs) are responsible for about 90% of antibiotic prescriptions, yet many of these are unwarranted.

The research, conducted in Italian-speaking Switzerland, involved interviews with eight GPs and 101 patients, exploring factors that lead to requests for antibiotics. It was found that patients who perceive themselves as highly susceptible to illness and desire comprehensive treatment are more likely to ask for antibiotics. Additionally, men and individuals with lower levels of education tend to request these medications more often. Interestingly, while higher trust from doctors towards patients was expected to reduce demand, the study revealed that when doctors trust their patients more, those patients are less inclined to ask for antibiotics.

This dynamic appears to stem from the interaction between the two parties: patients sense the doctor's trust, which encourages them to avoid unnecessary requests. This understanding of mutual trust can be leveraged in practice through strategies like delayed or backup prescriptions—where a prescription is issued with the option to fill it after a few days if symptoms persist. Such approaches have been successful in countries like the Netherlands and are currently being tested for effectiveness in Switzerland.

Overall, empowering patients to assess their symptoms accurately and involving them more actively in decision-making can help reduce unwarranted antibiotic use. As Dr. Peter J. Schulz explains, trust in the patient's judgment is key, and this can contribute significantly to slowing down the rise of antibiotic resistance, which causes five million deaths globally each year. Responsible use and better communication between doctors and patients are crucial steps toward addressing this public health challenge.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-role-doctors-patients-antibiotic-prescriptions.html