The Idea of an Essay, Volume 2

195 and aids bacteria’s ability to develop resistance. Physicians must act on the knowledge that the fewer antibiotics they utilize, the less the bacteria will develop resistance to the antibiotics for when they are absolutely needed (Thomas et al 2065). Similar to improving sanitation protocol, this takes discernment and discipline on the part of medical professionals. If doctors are willing to wait longer to prescribe antibiotics until they are sure they are necessary, it will cut down on antibiotic resistance. Unfortunately, this may cause more patient discomfort or even death since immediately treatable patients have to wait a few days to receive it until the doctor is sure they do, in fact, need the medication. On the other hand, this method is not expensive like many of the other proposed solutions but rather will save money, and it will help reduce the resistance of every type of infection which will ultimately save lives. A similar simple, practical, and inexpensive solution is patient education. Patients who misuse their antibiotics by overusing them or taking them at the wrong times or improperly using them in other ways contribute to antibiotic resistance because they are essentially wasting them and causing more antibiotic use than necessary. The obvious drawbacks to this solution are that doctors cannot actually follow patients around everywhere to make sure they follow instructions, and the overall effect of even perfect use by patients will probably be fairly small. However, this is a solution that is easy and inexpensive to implement and could aid in the fight to limit antibiotic resistance. In reality, the best solution to antibiotic resistance is a combination of several proposed solutions. While research is important, and new cures are very helpful, they are not inevitable. For now, focusing on the practical, controllable aspects of limiting antibiotic resistance is the most helpful. Hospital staff must put extra effort into proper hospital sanitation around the world even if it is difficult and inconvenient. The best way to snuff out a disease is to cut it off from spreading. Doctors also must be willing to make tough choices in administering antibiotics instead of just prescribing them in the hope that they help a patient. First, he or she must be certain antibiotics will eradicate the infection from the patient, and then he or she may prescribe them. In addition, medical professionals must put more effort into public awareness of the danger of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Proper education will give patients motivation