Survey of clinical pharmacists' knowledge of appropriateness of antimicrobial therapy for upper respiratory infections and acute bronchitis

We conducted a survey to assess clinical pharmacists' recommendation of ant ibiotics for upper respiratory infections (URIs) and acute bronchitis. A ra ndom sample of 752 members of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy wer e mailed a multiple-choice survey that presented four examples consistent w ith clinical symptoms of the two disorders. Respondents were asked what tre atment they would recommend for each example. The response rate was 59%. Ph armacists recommended antibiotics for the treatment of both URIs and acute bronchitis significantly more if patients' symptoms included discolored dis charge or sputum as opposed to clear discharge. Those who were board certif ied were less likely than nonboard-certified pharmacists Is recommend antib iotics for URIs with discolored discharge. Pharmacists who specialized in e ither ambulatory care or infectious disease were less likely than those in other specialties to recommend antibiotics for acute bronchitis with discol ored sputum. Clinical pharmacists are similar to patients and physicians in their belief that antibiotics are appropriate for URIs and acute bronchiti s with discolored discharge. Considering the role that pharmacists play as clinical consultants to physicians, greater efforts should be made to educa te them regarding appropriate prescription of antibiotics.