A Survey of Pediatricians’ Views and Practices Regarding Parents’ Request for Prescribing Antibiotics: A Qualitative Study

Background: Bacterial resistance is considered an important concern in health care medicine. There is a close relationship between the use of antibiotics and drug resistance. Objectives: In this study, pediatricians’ views and their practices regarding parents’ request for prescribing antibiotics when they did not see the need for the prescription and their opinions and suggestions were studied. Methods: This study was a qualitative cross-sectional interviewer assist study of pediatricians using a validated self-designed questionnaire. The study population included one hundred pediatricians in Tehran province from January to May 2018. Sampling method was non-probability convenience method. Results: The mean age of the participants was 37.04 ± 5.9 years, 47% male, and 53% female. The frequency of parents’ requests from pediatricians to prescribe antibiotics was 53% and about 45.3% of them agreed with this request. Gender was significant in participants’ agreement with the request of parents (60% in male and 26% in female). The important issues of this agreement were: the absence of a definitive clinical diagnosis (51%); when the initial treatment was not effective (39%); and concerned about legal consequences (51%). About 54.7% did not agree with this request. The most important issues of disagreement were: confirmation of clinical diagnosis (79%), and when pediatricians did not feel pressure from the parents (73%). The most important recommendation by the participants to reduce parents’ request included an adequate explanation and counseling with parents at the time of the visit (70%), increasing parental information in the community (62%), and the standardized guidelines for the treatment of diseases (51%). Conclusions: Based on the results, consultation with parents reduces parental concern and pressure. The parental information still plays a major role in the proper use of antibiotics. Retraining pediatricians and preparation of guidelines can be effective in increasing their confidence and correct diagnosis and prescribing decisions.