Social influences in antibiotic prescription behaviour among veterinary practitioners in the Netherlands

Abstract

Background: Insights in the key factors that drive antibiotic use and prescription by veterinarians can serve in strategically influencing veterinary antibiotic prescription behaviour and thereby counteract the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance. In this study, we elicit how social influences, as one of the key factors, affect antibiotic prescribing of farm animal veterinarians. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were held with 11 farm animal veterinarians and subsequently a questionnaire was developed and analysed. 135 Veterinarians working in the Netherlands responded. Results: Farmers, nutritionists and their immediate colleagues were regarded to belong to the veterinary practitioners’ direct social environment. According to the respondents, this narrow social distance to their clients helps them in their advisory role. They did not perceive this narrow relationship as influencing their prescribing practices. Nevertheless, they indicated to sometimes be afraid of liability issues when not prescribing antibiotics and the majority did not perceive much support from their direct social environment to (further) alter their antibiotic prescription behaviour. In contrast, they did perceive an urge from the indirect social environment (general public, policy makers, scientists) to alter their prescription behaviour. This leads to conflicts of interests towards the direct and indirect social environment of veterinarians. Conclusions: Socially, practitioners are deeply invested in their farmers and amidst a web of regularly conflicting interests. Depending on the situation, social influence plays a role in their decision making regarding the prescription of antibiotics. Further investigation is needed to enhance social reference and support for actively reducing antibiotic prescription.