Patient, Physician, and Nurse Satisfaction with Antibiotics

Abstract

To prospectively evaluate patient (parent), physician, and nurse satisfaction with antibiotics, 12,102 children in 661 pediatric study centers throughout the United States with infections to be treated on an outpatient basis were followed with questionnaires completed by parents and with interviews of patients and their parents. Comprehensive surveys were also completed by participating pediatricians and their nursing staffs of which 11,913 (98.4%) contained adequate information for inclusion in an analysis. Data were combined and analyzed using standard statistical methods. Loracarbef was perceived as being superior to other antibiotics based on cost, palatability, and dosing intervals. Few differences were seen among most antibiotics based on treatment outcome or adverse events. All antibiotics studied offered acceptable efficacy and were well tolerated as judged by physicians, nurses, parents, and children. Slight differences might result in increased compliance for some patients.