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Table 2 Interview topics, categories, and themes from discussions with outpatient care providers regarding antibiotic prescribing

From: Not a magic pill: a qualitative exploration of provider perspectives on antibiotic prescribing in the outpatient setting

Interview Topics

Categories

Themes

Key Factors in Decision Making about Prescribing Antibiotics

Acute clinical presentation

Current Antibiotic Prescribing Practices

Best practices

Patient level factors (e.g., age)

Workflow

Communicating with Patients about Antibiotics

Understanding viral and bacterial infections

Disease course

Symptomatic relief

Signs to watch for

Follow up

Helping Patients to Feel Better

Over-the-counter medications

Personal care

Rest

Perceptions of Patient Knowledge and Experiences

Expectations are high

Provider Perceptions of Patient Knowledge and Awareness

Want to feel better

A quick fix

Perceptions of the Problem of Antibiotic Resistance

Largely unaware

Some peripheral knowledge

Often disassociate

Can vary based on demographics

Perceptions of Barriers to Appropriate Prescribing

Patient education

Patient expectations

System-level concerns

Time constraints

Education and Training for Providers

System-wide, evidence-based guidelines

Recommendations for Education, Training, and Reporting

Decision support tools

Reporting Antibiotic Use to Providers

Multiple forms of delivery (i.e., in person, electronic)

Align with current reporting practices