Antibiotic and benzodiazepine prescribing by general practice trainees.

Objective: To study the prescribing of antibiotics and benzodiazepines by a group of general practice trainees.

Methods: Forty-six trainees in their general practice term with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Training Program and 495 experienced general practitioners were compared with regard to patients managed, prescribing of antibiotics for respiratory tract infections and prescribing of benzodiazepines for anxiety, sleep disorders and depression.

Results: Trainees saw more young patients and patients with acute respiratory infections, and fewer patients with psychological problems, than the experienced practitioners. Trainees prescribed antibiotics less often for undifferentiated upper respiratory tract infection and their prescribing for tonsillitis was more frequently in agreement with prescribing guidelines. Trainees were less likely to prescribe a benzodiazepine for anxiety or sleep problems.

Conclusions: General practice trainees were relatively conservative prescribers of antibiotics and benzodiazepines. At times both groups did not prescribe in accordance with antibiotic prescribing guidelines and an appreciable number of patients continue to be prescribed benzodiazepines on a long term basis.