Geographic variability of antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory tract infections within a direct-to-consumer telemedicine practice

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2021 Jun 3:1-3. doi: 10.1017/ice.2021.84. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In this retrospective cohort study of patients presenting to a national direct-to-consumer medical practice, we found that provider geographic location is a stronger driver of antibiotic prescribing than patient location. Physicians in the Northeast and South are significantly more likely than physicians in the West to prescribe antibiotics for upper respiratory infection and bronchitis.

PMID:34078495 | DOI:10.1017/ice.2021.84