The intervention, based on a psychological principle, was more effective at curtailing inappropriate prescription of antibiotics than are many others currently in use. Those others typically are based on a model holding that clinicians will change their behavior simply because it makes rational sense to do so, and they use techniques such as education, awareness training, electronic alerts or reminders, and financial incentives, the researchers explained.
"[Our] findings support an alternative model suggesting that clinicians are influenced by interpersonal factors within the context of patient care – in particular, a desire to remain consistent with a prior public commitment," Dr. Meeker and her associates said.
They added that their study was limited because it covered a relatively small geographic area, involved a small number of clinicians, and was of short duration. Moreover, even though the intervention succeeded in reducing inappropriate prescribing significantly, the rate of inappropriate prescribing still remained high among the study participants.
The National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Aging funded the study. Dr. Meeker and her associates reported no relevant financial conflicts of interest.