Potential Strategies and Approaches to Reduce the Inappropriate Use of Antibiotics in the Management of Respiratory Tract Infections in Primary Care

Introduction and Purpose: The application of antibiotics has enabled the effective treatment of bacterial infections for years. However, their inappropriate use and overprescribing remain longstanding concerns. A considerable proportion of antibiotic prescriptions originate in primary care, where respiratory tract infections constitute one of the most common indications. The aim of this study was to investigate potential strategies to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use in the management of respiratory tract infections in the primary care setting. Materials and Methods: The methodology was based on a review of the available literature using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The following keywords were applied: “primary care”, “respiratory tract infection”, “limiting antibiotic overuse”, and “strategies”. Description of the state of knowledge: The findings indicate that a range of methods and interventions may contribute to reducing antibiotic overuse in primary care. These include educational and behavioral interventions targeting both patients and healthcare professionals, as well as efforts to reduce diagnostic uncertainty, for example through the use of point-of-care biomarkers. Additional approaches such as delayed antibiotic prescribing, the implementation of non-antibiotic treatment strategies, and preventive measures aimed at reducing the incidence of respiratory tract infections may also play an important role. The analyzed methods were evaluated not only in terms of their effectiveness but also with regard to their limitations and the requirements necessary for their implementation. Conclusions: Overall, the review underscores the need for further research to better define and optimize strategies for reducing inappropriate antibiotic use and limit the development of antimicrobial resistance.