The rise of telemedicine and antibiotic use

CHE RESEARCH BITES

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

19 January, 2026

The rapid expansion of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic raised important questions about how remote consultations influence medical decision-making. A key concern is whether telemedicine might compromise prescribing quality, particularly for antibiotics, where inappropriate use fuels antimicrobial resistance.

This study evaluates the effect of telemedicine on antibiotic prescribing in Australian primary care. Using survey and census linked administrative data covering general practitioners and patients, the researchers compare prescribing patterns before and after the introduction of subsidised telemedicine in 2020. Physicians are classified according to how intensively they used remote consultations once these services became available.

The results show that GPs who adopted telemedicine more intensively reduced their antibiotic use relative to those who relied less on remote consultations. On average, high adopters prescribed around 5% fewer antibiotics per 100 consultations. Importantly, this reduction did not reflect lower prescribing quality. Measures of low-value antibiotic use—such as the share prescribed for respiratory tract infections or the share of broad-spectrum drugs—remained unchanged between high and low adopters.

Several potential explanations are ruled out. The decline in prescriptions is not driven by differences in patient selection, doctor shopping, or changes in consultation intensity. Instead, the findings are consistent with mechanisms that improve time efficiency and reduce patient pressure in remote environments, allowing GPs to schedule follow-ups rather than prescribe “just in case.”

The evidence suggests that fears of lower quality care in telemedicine are not supported in this context. Telemedicine may simultaneously expand access, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, and maintain prescribing standards. This has important implications for governments considering how to fund digital care models, particularly as antimicrobial resistance remains a major global health challenge.

Avdic D, Kunz JS, Méndez SJ, Wiśniewska M. Does telemedicine technology affect prescribing quality in primary care? The case of antibiotics. November 2025. Accepted for Publication. Journal of Health Economics.

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CHE Research Bites are short, easy-to-understand summaries of our recent academic papers highlighting new evidence and insights on topical issues in the health and healthcare sectors.

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