Freakonomics, M.D. 57. Doctors Know They Prescribe Too Many Antibiotics. Why Don’t They Stop?
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Oct 14, 2022 AI Snips
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Overprescribing Antibiotics: Not a Knowledge Problem
- Doctors prescribe unnecessary antibiotics, often due to perceived patient expectation, not lack of knowledge.
- This over-prescription contributes to antibiotic resistance, a major public health threat.
Antibiotic Risks and Side Effects
- Patients and doctors may perceive antibiotics as benign, but they have risky side effects.
- These range from rashes and diarrhea to life-threatening C. diff infections.
Misjudging Patient Expectations
- Doctors often misjudge patient expectations regarding antibiotics, leading to overprescribing.
- Vivid memories of negative patient encounters reinforce this bias.