The social dynamics of antibiotic use in an Australian hospital

Broom, A; Broom, J; Kirby, E; Adams, J

The social dynamics of antibiotic use in an Australian hospital

Broom, A Broom, J Kirby, E Adams, J

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Sociology, 2016, 52 (4), pp. 824 - 839
Issue Date:: 2016-12-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Broom, A	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Broom, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Kirby, E	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Adams, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9901-5717	en_US
dc.date.issued	2016-12-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Sociology, 2016, 52 (4), pp. 824 - 839	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1440-7833	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/89004
dc.description.abstract	© 2015, © The Author(s) 2015. Misuse of antibiotics in hospitals in Australia and internationally is common. The combination of multi-resistant organisms and continued misuse of antibiotics is contributing to a predicted ‘antimicrobial perfect storm’ in the coming decades. Attempts to influence doctors’ use of antibiotics have seen limited success internationally, yet few studies have explored the potential social factors driving current practices within hospitals and the interpersonal processes that underpin persistent ‘suboptimal’ antibiotic use. In this qualitative study of hospital-based Australian doctors we explore some of these dynamics including: the role of clinical uncertainty and ambivalence; experiences of immediate risk; interpersonal and intra-professional pressure; and the role of localised norms and ‘craft groups’ in driving antibiotic practices. We argue that the development of a sociological understanding of antibiotic misuse in the hospital sector (and beyond) is vital for progress to be made in protecting antibiotics for future generations.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Sociology	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1177/1440783315594486	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Sociology	en_US
dc.title	The social dynamics of antibiotic use in an Australian hospital	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	4	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	52	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
utslib.for	1606 Political Science	en_US
utslib.for	1608 Sociology	en_US
utslib.for	2002 Cultural Studies	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	4	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	52	en_US

Abstract:

© 2015, © The Author(s) 2015. Misuse of antibiotics in hospitals in Australia and internationally is common. The combination of multi-resistant organisms and continued misuse of antibiotics is contributing to a predicted ‘antimicrobial perfect storm’ in the coming decades. Attempts to influence doctors’ use of antibiotics have seen limited success internationally, yet few studies have explored the potential social factors driving current practices within hospitals and the interpersonal processes that underpin persistent ‘suboptimal’ antibiotic use. In this qualitative study of hospital-based Australian doctors we explore some of these dynamics including: the role of clinical uncertainty and ambivalence; experiences of immediate risk; interpersonal and intra-professional pressure; and the role of localised norms and ‘craft groups’ in driving antibiotic practices. We argue that the development of a sociological understanding of antibiotic misuse in the hospital sector (and beyond) is vital for progress to be made in protecting antibiotics for future generations.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/89004