NPR

Patients Give Doctors High Marks For Prescribing Antibiotics For Common Sniffles

People with colds and related infections give physicians higher ratings when they give them a prescription for antibiotics. Could that be influencing doctors to over-prescribe?
Antibiotics are widely over-prescribed for the common cold. Doctors concern for patient satisfaction ratings may be one reason.

When they're sick, it seems Americans know what they want: antibiotics. And if they don't get them, their doctors' reputations may suffer.

A study published Monday finds that patients rated themselves happiest with their doctor's visit when they got an antibiotic after seeking care for a respiratory tract infection, such as a common cold, whether they needed it or not.

Researchers analyzed 8,437 appointments for these infections through American Well's , a national provider of telemedicine services to consumers, and the results

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