The papers by Kennell, et al. and by Starfield and Borkowf in this issue, and by Korsch et al. in the November 1968 issue provide documentation for the following, seemingly reasonable conclusions: (1) parents of children who have rheumatic fever demonstrate extensive confusion and many unrealistic beliefs about that disorder and its long-term prophylactic treatment; (2) resident physicians are much more likely to record their awareness of complaints related to a body system or function than to behavior problems; and (3) communication barriers between a pediatric resident and the patient parents contribute significantly to patient dissatisfaction.
The importance of these systematic examinations lies in their presentation of data about the clinician's job, a phase of the art of pediatrics not usually regarded as based on cumulative or scientific knowledge.
We surveyed faculty and residents to assess attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge about antimicrobial use and resistance. Most respondents were concerned about resistance when prescribing antibiotics and agreed that antibiotics are overused, that inappropriate use is professionally unethical, and that others, but not themselves, overprescribe antibiotics. Antimicrobial stewardship programs should capitalize on these perceptions.