title: The patient's role in the spread and control of bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
abstract: As the ultimate consumers, patients play an important role in the emergence, spread and control of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Improved knowledge of antibiotics and the problem of resistance, as well as a better understanding of beliefs, pressures/concerns, and expectations, from both the patient's and physician's perspectives, are fundamental for controlling antibiotic use. There is growing evidence to suggest that empowering patients through implementation of patient-centered health-care strategies, such as shared decision-making, in conjunction with educational initiatives help to change attitudes and behavior, and improve access to and completion of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. This, in turn, may help to control the development and spread of resistance to antibiotics.
authors.affiliation: MEMO, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK, Tayside Center for General Practice, Dundee, UK. peter@memo.dundee.ac.uk
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pagliari
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hayes
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003657:Decision Making; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D010358:Patient Participation; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000592:standards; D010361:Patients; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D011368:Professional-Family Relations
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents