Do clinical findings in lower respiratory tract infection help general practitioners prescribe antibiotics appropriately? An observational cohort study in general practice

摘要

Background. Antibiotics are over-prescribed for lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). The influence of clinicians' history and examination findings on antibiotic prescribing for LRTI has not been directly assessed, and the extent to which these clinical findings predict appropriate antibiotic prescribing is unknown. A clearer understanding is crucial to achieving evidence-based prescribing.