Factors influencing antimicrobial prescribing behavior of veterinarians and its impact on their perception about antimicrobial use and resistance

Abstract

Determining significant factors that influencing veterinarian’s antimicrobial prescribing behavior can help to bridge the gap between prescribing recommendations and clinical utilization. Guidelines on prudent antimicrobial use in veterinary medicine have been developed to reduce inappropriate prescribing of antimicrobials which are primarily concerned with clinical and pharmacological indications for prescribing. A questionnaire study was conducted to evaluate the factors influencing veterinarian’s antimicrobial prescribing decisions in large animal practice, as well as to assess whether non - clinical and non-pharmacological factors influence antimicrobial prescribing choice. The study findings demonstrated that clinical considerations influenced veterinarian’s antimicrobial prescribing decisions more than non-clinical reasons. Clinical signs/symptoms as well as the critical nature of the illness were the most often used clinical considerations in determining whether to prescribe an antimicrobial or not. Pharmacological considerations have a greater influence on antimicrobial prescribing than non-pharmacological factors. The most significant pharmacological factors were the antimicrobial's spectrum of activity, the duration of therapy and the route as well as frequency of administration. Regression analysis between factors influencing prescribing behavior and veterinarian’s perception revealed that clinical, pharmacological and non-clinical factors had a significant impact on explaining variations in veterinarian’s perception of antimicrobial use and resistance.