Clinicians prescribed an antibiotic for 36 percent of the students. Only 13 percent of these had requested an antibiotic. 40 percent of the students who thought that they had a viral infection nevertheless expected an antibiotic. 36 percent of students admitted to taking antibiotics left over from a previous illness and 20 percent reported taking an antibiotic prescribed for someone else. Haltiwanger also found that patient satisfaction was high among students who received a clear diagnosis and understood the reason for their treatments.
Communication is made difficult however, when doctors have less time to spend with patients.
Haltiwanger concluded that, even among this educated group of college students, there are some misconceptions about antibiotics and their appropriate use. She feels that better patient education and improved communication between physicians and their patients could help to solve this problem.