Experts have warned GPs about prescribing antibiotics to patients

University of Dundee scientists found patients resistant to antibiotics were more likely to have received them from their GP than in hospital.

The researchers said doctors need to take responsibility for prudent use of antibiotics as they are not always the best way of curing an illness.

The study was carried out at Dundee's new Health Informatics Centre.

Prudent approach

The centre's findings will appear in this month's edition of the British Medical Journal.

Professor Peter Davey, of the University of Dundee, said doctors clearly needed to take responsibility for prudent use of antibiotics.

He said: "Prescribing antibiotics is usually much easier for doctors than not prescribing them.

"Writing a prescription takes very little time compared with careful assessment of the patient, communication with them about why antibiotics are not the best solution for their symptoms and offering advice about other ways to manage their symptoms."

"I think the public also needs to believe that not prescribing antibiotics is a caring thing for a doctor to do.

"If the doctor says antibiotics are not necessary they are acting in the best interests of the patient."