‘Misperception stops healthcare providers from prescribing life-saving ORS for child diarrhoea’

Misperceptions of healthcare providers has been identified as one of the major reasons why Oral Rehydration Solution, which could be a live-saving treatment in diarrhoea cases, is not being prescribed in India for children who suffer from diarrhoea, according to a study. With randomised controlled trials, the researchers tested the effects of three main reasons – misperception of providers, financial incentives and ORS stock – for under prescription of ORS. Barrier 1 - Misperception Providers’ misperceptions, which explained 42% of under prescription, stemmed from their confusion about whether patients preferred non-ORS treatments, like antibiotics, the taste of ORS and how it is not perceived as real medicine. While most patients in another household survey conducted by the researchers indicated that they preferred ORS, the providers thought that only 18% of patients preferred the solution. Recommendation of researchers When asked about the interventions that the researchers suggest to tackle the problem of under prescription of ORS, Prof. Mukherji said, “Our research emphasises the importance of provider’s perception of the kind of care a patient’s family is seeking as an important factor in determining prescription behaviour of the provider.