Delayed prescriptions: attitudes and experiences of general practitioners in the Midwest.

141 questionnaires were posted to GPs randomly selected in the Mid-West. 103 responses were received. 32 GPs (31%) strongly agreed and 65 GPs (63%) agreed that antibiotics are over used in general practice. 35 GPs (34%) felt under pressure to prescribe an antibiotic at least once a day. 41 GPs (40%) agreed that delayed prescriptions are a safe prescribing strategy. 53 GPs (51%) agreed that delayed prescriptions have the potential to reduce antibiotic use. 33 GPs (32%) disagreed that giving delayed prescriptions increases the duration of the consultation. 49 GPs (47%) agreed that delayed prescriptions decrease the likelihood of return visit in the same illness. 55 GPs (53%) agreed that delayed prescriptions help to involve patients in managing their own illness. 46 GPs (45%) disagreed that patients find delayed prescriptions confusing. The majority of GPs (41/39.8%) use delayed prescriptions once a week or at least once a day (34/33%).