Antibiotic preferences and treatment durations in community-acquired infections.

Objective: Since Infectious diseases and Clinical Microbiology specialists (IDS) are guiding both the community and other health professionals, it is important to use antibiotics in accordance with the guidelines. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the approaches of IDS to the use of antibiotics and treatment times in community-acquired infections.

Methods: Our study was conducted as a digital survey study applied to IDS between January 2019 and December 2020. Community-acquired pneumonia, cystitis, acute tonsillopharangitis, acute otitis media, acute sinusitis, cellulitis, as well as the antibiotics they prefer and their duration of treatment, were asked by questionnaire method. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed on all the information obtained.

Results: A total of 203 IDS participated in the study. About 34.7% of the participants worked as specialists for 0-5 years, 33.6% between 6 and 15 years, and 31.7% for more than 15 years. Most of the participants had problems adhering to the guidelines recommendations in their choice of antibiotics and in determining the duration of treatment. Non-compliance rates were higher among specialists who served for more than 5 years.

Conclusion: By providing radical changes in both specialty training and post-specialty trainings, creating online learning environments, and encouraging trainings, problems can be solved to a significant extent and new information can be accessed more quickly.