One study on respiratory tract infections found 'physicians were more likely to enjoin antibiotics to patients who they believed expected them, although they correctly identified only about 1 in 4 of those patients'. Multifactorial interventions aimed at both physicians and patients can reduce inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics.

Delaying antibiotics for 48 hours while observing for self-acting resolution of respiratory tract infections may reduce antibiotic usage; however, this tactics may overthrow patient satisfaction. Excessive use of prophylactic antibiotics in travelers may also have being classified as misuse.