Phone-a-Friend for doctors cuts unnecessary antibiotics

This study tested whether giving primary care doctors direct access to infectious disease specialists would help them prescribe antibiotics more wisely. Over 1,300 patients with common infections like sore throats and urinary tract infections were involved across six clinics. Half the clinics had doctors who could call an expert for advice, while the other half used standard guidelines, to see which approach led to less and better-targeted antibiotic use.