Does telemedicine technology affect prescribing quality in primary care? The case of antibiotics

Daniel Avdic; Johannes S. Kunz; Susan J. Méndez; Maria Wiśniewska

doi:10.1016/j.jhealeco.2025.103096

Does telemedicine technology affect prescribing quality in primary care? The case of antibiotics

Daniel Avdic
, Johannes S. Kunz
, Susan J. Méndez
, Maria Wiśniewska

Centre for Health Economics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review

Abstract

We study the impact of telemedicine technology on antibiotic prescription rates using linked administrative data from Australia on physicians and their patients. We classify physicians by their relative use of virtual consultations after the introduction of government-subsidised telemedicine services and compare their antibiotic prescribing rates before and after telemedicine services became available. We find that more intense telemedicine adopters prescribe less antibiotics while keeping prescribing quality unchanged. Our results are not explained by patient sorting, doctor shopping, or changes in the intensity of consultations.

Original language	English
Article number	103096
Number of pages	15
Journal	Journal of Health Economics
Volume	105
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2025.103096
Publication status	Published - Jan 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Antibiotics
Difference-in-differences
Diffusion of innovations
Practice style
Quality of care
Telemedicine

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10.1016/j.jhealeco.2025.103096Licence: CC BY

748685688-oaFinal published version, 1.75 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Does telemedicine technology affect prescribing quality in primary care? The case of antibiotics",

abstract = "We study the impact of telemedicine technology on antibiotic prescription rates using linked administrative data from Australia on physicians and their patients. We classify physicians by their relative use of virtual consultations after the introduction of government-subsidised telemedicine services and compare their antibiotic prescribing rates before and after telemedicine services became available. We find that more intense telemedicine adopters prescribe less antibiotics while keeping prescribing quality unchanged. Our results are not explained by patient sorting, doctor shopping, or changes in the intensity of consultations.",

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AU - Wiśniewska, Maria

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AB - We study the impact of telemedicine technology on antibiotic prescription rates using linked administrative data from Australia on physicians and their patients. We classify physicians by their relative use of virtual consultations after the introduction of government-subsidised telemedicine services and compare their antibiotic prescribing rates before and after telemedicine services became available. We find that more intense telemedicine adopters prescribe less antibiotics while keeping prescribing quality unchanged. Our results are not explained by patient sorting, doctor shopping, or changes in the intensity of consultations.

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KW - Difference-in-differences

KW - Diffusion of innovations

KW - Practice style

KW - Quality of care

KW - Telemedicine

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ER -

Does telemedicine technology affect prescribing quality in primary care? The case of antibiotics

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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Physician Preferences for Medical Innovation

Cite this

Does telemedicine technology affect prescribing quality in primary care? The case of antibiotics

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Projects

Physician Preferences for Medical Innovation

Cite this