Key findings

·         Antibiotic resistance is a major public health problem caused by inappropriate use of antibiotics

·        Restrictive methods (limiting the use of anitbiotics) and persuasive methods (advising/educating physicians on the use of antibiotics) methods can improve prescription practices, and lead to a reduced number of infections in hospitals, deaths and length of stay.

·         Restrictive methods have a larger effect than persuasive methods.

·         The studies included in this review were conducted in multiple countries, and the applicability of the interventions tested is broad.