06/23/2026
Antimicrobials are essential, but they are often prescribed for conditions that are unlikely to benefit.
Christen Arena, PharmD, MLS (ASCP), MPH, Assistant Professor, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, and Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, and co-author of the October 2025 Open Forum Infectious Diseases article “Current Evidence and Gaps for Outpatient Respiratory Tract Infection Diagnostics: A Call to Action”, explains how diagnostic uncertainty contributes to unnecessary antibiotic use in outpatient care and why clearer answers can support better stewardship.
This discussion is part of the OFID Journal Club: Author Conversations series, where article authors explore diagnostic impact across care settings.
Watch the full OFID Journal Club video and explore the article summary here: https://bit.ly/46I5uaM