We describe a controlled study comparing the effects on primary care prescribing in west Gloucestershire, UK, where antibiotic workshops were offered, with those in east Gloucestershire, where microbiology tutorials were given. The year-on-year changes in quantity and costs of antibiotics dispensed following general practice prescriptions were measured. There was no significant difference in the number of antibiotic items prescribed across the county, but the number of prescriptions for broad-spectrum agents (quinolones, cephalosporins and co-amoxiclav) declined by 15.4% in west Gloucestershire, compared with a 6.5% increase in east Gloucestershire (P: = 0.002). Use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics (penicillin V, trimethoprim and nitrofurantoin), whose use was encouraged, did not change in west Gloucestershire practices, but decreased by 12% in east Gloucestershire practices (P: = 0.003). There was increased use of clarithromycin and azithromycin in both groups of practices. Antibiotic workshops held in the primary care setting can rationalize antibiotic prescribing. This can reduce prescribing costs and selection pressure by broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents and, perhaps, go some way to reducing the development of resistance.

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This study examined the relationship between the "bright" and "dark" side of work personality, as well as their relationship to cognitive ability. In all 374 working adults completed three tests at work: Hogan Development Survey (HDS) (Hogan & Hogan, 2009); Saville Consulting Wave Professional Styles (Saville Consulting, 2005); Raven's Progressive Matrices (Raven, Raven, & Court, 1998). The four behavioural clusters (Thought, Influence, Adaptability, Delivery) of the "bright side" test were independent of one another. Three of the four correlations between intelligence and personality were significant. Regressions showed that gender, intelligence, and the "dark side" factors measured at facet and higher order levels accounted for between 7% and 37% of the variance. The thought cluster was best predicted by intelligence and high scores on Leisurely, Bold and Imaginative. The influence cluster was best predicted by intelligence (negatively), skeptical, reserved (negative) and colourful. The adaptability cluster was most related to diligence (negatively). Finally, delivery was predicted by intelligence (negatively), excitability (negatively), skeptical and diligence. Limitations and implications are considered.