Exploration of Primary Care Clinician Attitudes and Cognitive Characteristics Associated With Prescribing Antibiotics for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria

Are certain clinician attitudes and characteristics associated with unnecessary antibiotic prescribing for asymptomatic bacteriuria? In this survey study of 551 primary care clinicians, 392 (71%) reported that they would prescribe antibiotics for asymptomatic bacteriuria. Prescribing antibiotics for asymptomatic bacteriuria was more common among medical maximizers and family medicine physicians and was less common among resident physicians and clinicians in the US Pacific Northwest. Clinician characteristics are associated with the decision to prescribe antibiotics and should be considered when designing antibiotic stewardship interventions.