FREE NEJM E-TOC    HOME   |   SUBSCRIBE   |   CURRENT ISSUE   |   PAST ISSUES   |   COLLECTIONS   |   Search Term  Advanced Search

Sign in | Get NEJM's E-Mail Table of Contents — Free | Subscribe

Previous Volume 293:1291-1295 December 18, 1975 Number 25 Next

	Add to Personal Archive Add to Citation Manager Notify a Friend E-mail When Cited PubMed Citation

Abstract

Because recent reports suggest that physicians in the United States do not use antimicrobial agents properly, we analyzed scores for the first 4513 physicians viewing the National Antibiotic Therapy Test, a nationally televised self-assessment test on the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. The 75-minute videotape test, produced by the Network for Continuing Medical Education, contained three section: a 10-question pre-test, a 25-question teaching test, and a 15-question post-test. Scores were tabulated according to the specialty, years in practice, and volume of patients seen. The mean correct score was 68 per cent for all 50 questions, 55 per cent for the 10 pre-test questions, and 71 per cent for the 15 post-test questions. Physicians in practice for one to five years, residents and internists scored better than other subgroups. Answers to questions indicated deficiencies of knowledge and the need for further postgraduate education in the use of antibiotics.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Srinivasan, A., Song, X., Richards, A., Sinkowitz-Cochran, R., Cardo, D., Rand, C. (2004). A Survey of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs of House Staff Physicians From Various Specialties Concerning Antimicrobial Use and Resistance. Arch Intern Med 164: 1451-1456 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Nathwani, D., Davey, P. (1999). Antibiotic prescribing—are there lessons for physicians?. QJM 92: 287-292 [Full Text]