An evidence based approach to reducing antibiotic use in children with acute otitis media: controlled before and after study

Christopher Cates paper is an interesting and valuable one for those
of us in the "third world" countries, where many patients are misguided
by vague ideas of the value or indication for antibiotics. It is not
uncommon for patients to be prescribed the most recently introduced and
expensive (they usually) drugs after being told that they have "a virus".
Of course, the most embarassing part comes when the patient confesses six
months later that "I never got the medicine, but I got better". It is an
excellent opportunity to educate both ourselves and, in that respect, the
patient, but other authors, and now Cates, have helped us.
Sadly, it is in countries such as ours with the limited "free" health
services that abuse of antibiotics and the waste of limited resources
exists. But it is equally unfortunate that, in private practice,
patients who can barely afford the doctor's fee are subjected to further
stress to find the money for unnecessary prescriptions.