RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Provider Effects in Antibiotic Prescribing
JF Journal of Human Resources
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 1159
OP 1191
DO 10.3368/jhr.0523-12900R1
VO 61
IS 4
A1 Huang, Shan
A1 Ullrich, Hannes
YR 2026
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/61/4/1159.abstract
AB In the fight against antibiotic resistance, reducing antibiotic consumption while preserving healthcare quality presents a critical health policy challenge. We investigate the role of practice styles in patients’ antibiotic intake using exogenous variation in patient–physician assignment. Practice style heterogeneity explains 49 percent of the differences in overall antibiotic use and 83 percent of the differences in second-line antibiotic use between primary care providers. We find no evidence that high prescribing is linked to better treatment quality or fewer adverse health outcomes. Policies improving physician decision-making, particularly among high-prescribers, may be effective in reducing antibiotic consumption while sustaining healthcare quality.