Over 25% of Patients Lie to Doctors for Antibiotics, Studies Find

Two recently published studies indicate that a significant proportion of adults in the US report lying to healthcare providers to obtain unnecessary antibiotics, despite often using poor fabrications that still frequently succeed.

Researchers led by Alistair Thorpe at the University of Utah analyzed online survey data from over 1,000 adults, publishing their findings in JAMA Network Open. The data revealed that over 25 percent of respondents admitted to misrepresenting symptoms—either by exaggerating or completely fabricating them—at least once to secure an antibiotic prescription for themselves or a child in their care.

Key Findings from the Research

• Prevalence: Approximately 28 percent of general survey respondents and 27 percent of caregivers reported misrepresenting symptoms to obtain antibiotics.
• Common Lies: The most frequent falsehoods involved cold-related symptoms, such as fever, cough, and sore throat, which are typically caused by viruses rather than bacteria.
• Success Rate: A large majority of respondents—77 percent of adults and 87 percent of caregivers—claimed their deception successfully resulted in a prescription.
• Motivations: Patients often lied because they felt their illness was severe, believed antibiotics were uniquely effective, wanted to return to work or school faster, or felt they should direct their own medical treatment.

Clinical Perspectives and Concerns

In an accompanying commentary, Dr. Jeffrey Linder of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine noted that the majority of symptoms exaggerated by patients do not actually indicate a need for antibiotics. Linder emphasized that unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions expose patients to adverse events, allergic reactions, and microbiome disruptions without providing clinical benefits.

Experts warn that the misuse of antibiotics contributes to antimicrobial resistance, a public health challenge tracked by agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Furthermore, researchers and commentators highlighted the potential erosion of trust between patients and clinicians when deceptive practices influence prescribing decisions.

Practical Implications and Verification

The study underscores the need for improved communication strategies between clinicians and patients to address underlying concerns, clarify appropriate antibiotic use, and strengthen healthcare relationships. Readers interested in verifying these claims can review the published studies in JAMA Network Open or consult guidance from public health organizations regarding antimicrobial stewardship.