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Patient knowledge and antibiotic abuse: Evidence from an audit study in China
- Source :
-
Journal of Health Economics . Sep2011, Vol. 30 Issue 5, p933-949. 17p. - Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- Abstract: We conduct an audit study in which a pair of simulated patients with identical flu-like complaints visits the same physician. Simulated patient A is instructed to ask a question that showcases his/her knowledge of appropriate antibiotic use, whereas patient B is instructed to say nothing beyond describing his/her symptoms. We find that a patient who displays knowledge of appropriate antibiotics use reduces both antibiotic prescription rates and drug expenditures. Such knowledge also increases physicians’ information provision about possible side effects, but has a negative impact on the quality of the physician–patient interactions. Our results suggest that antibiotics abuse in China is not driven by patients actively demanding antibiotics, but is largely a supply-side phenomenon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01676296
- Volume :
- 30
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Health Economics
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 65494578
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2011.05.009