A third of patients lie to doctors to get antibiotics, JAMA study finds
A US survey of 959 adults has found that 28% have misrepresented symptoms to obtain antibiotics, with some later regretting it.
Around 30% of patients say they have lied to obtain antibiotics from their doctor, with some apparently believing antibiotic resistance is a hoax.
The results come from a US study, which surveyed 959 adults with an average age of 50.
Some 28% admitted they misrepresented their symptoms, such as claiming a cough had lasted two weeks when it had lasted just one or saying they had a fever.
Coughs and sore throats were the most commonly misrepresented, cited by two-thirds of patients who lied.
