title: Physicians' knowledge, perceptions and behaviour towards antibiotic prescribing: a systematic review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Knowledge, perceptions and prescribing behaviour are key to antibiotic prescribing. The aim of this paper is to systematically review this.
  
  
  METHODS
  An extensive literature search from 1990 to 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen articles were included; eight in ambulatory care, seven in hospital settings and four in both, across all countries. Physicians still have inadequate knowledge and misconceptions about antibiotic prescribing. Moreover, some physicians, although aware that antibiotics are of limited benefit in some conditions, still prescribed them. Several factors influenced prescribing, including patients' expectations, severity and duration of infections, uncertainty over diagnosis, potentially losing patients and influence of pharmaceutical companies. Pocket-sized guidelines seen as an important source of information for physicians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inadequate knowledge of prescribing is prevalent among physicians. However, many physicians were interested in improving their antibiotic prescribing. Multifaceted interventions targeting all key stakeholders, including patients, are needed to improve future antibiotic prescribing.
authors: Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
authors: Rabiatul Salmi
authors: RS
authors: Md Rezal
authors: Mohamed Azmi
authors: MA
authors: Hassali
authors: Alian A
authors: AA
authors: Alrasheedy
authors: Fahad
authors: F
authors: Saleem
authors: Faridah Aryani
authors: FA
authors: Md Yusof
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Godman
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: antibiotics; irrational use of medicines; patients; physicians; prescribing behaviour; resistance; systematic reviews