Another recent study suggested that erythromycin, a commonly prescribed antibiotic that was 95 percent effective five years ago, is only about 60 percent effective today. Hopefully because of that education physicians won't be placed in bantering situations with their patients about antibiotics. One of the ways the coalition educates patients is through tools given to physicians to help explain why antibiotics won't work against viral infections. These tools include posters, brochures and even home-remedy cold flu kits containing a tea bag, a thermometer, decongestant, tissues and additional information about viral and bacterial infections. On Jan. 11 the teleconference will focus on community acquired pneumonia and influenza.
Physicians can sign-in for a month after the conference and receive credit.
Specific dates for other teleconferences have not been set. In February, the topic is otitis media and in March urinary tract infections will be discussed.