Ethical Issues in Antibiotic Use and Prescribing: A Rapid Review Protocol

Antimicrobial resistance is a major and growing global public health challenge, driven in part by inappropriate antibiotic use and prescribing. Beyond clinical effectiveness, decisions surrounding antibiotic use raise complex ethical concerns related to equity, collective responsibility, public health protection, and the preservation of antimicrobial effectiveness for future populations. This Rapid Review aims to identify and synthesise empirical studies that examine ethical issues associated with antibiotic use and prescribing. The review will include qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research involving healthcare professionals, healthcare students, or members of the general population. Where applicable, the review will explore how ethical considerations are discussed in relation to clinical decision-making and antibiotic stewardship within empirical studies. By providing a structured synthesis of the available evidence, this review seeks to support ethically informed clinical practice, contribute to discussions on antibiotic stewardship, and identify gaps in the empirical literature to inform future research on antimicrobial resistance.