Just going to play devil's advocate here for a minute...aside from the current issue of insurance coverage for additional tests, MOST patients want an "instant answer" - as in, I walk out with a prescription in my hand. They do not want to hear "we'll send in this sample and call you in a week."

So, most doctors do just that. Even today, I am often appalled when antibiotics are demanded and given for what are clearly viral illnesses, even without seeing the patient. Recently, we did a culture and "watch and wait" with my grandson for a week before his Mom and I were convinced he needed antibiotic.

This past year, I had 3 staph (not MRSA) infections in wounds. After the first course of antibiotics each time. I insisted on a culture - two out of 3 times, a different med was prescribed that cured the infection. Each doc pushed back, saying X was the drug of choice, broad-spectrum, just needed more time... I stood my ground and got what I needed.

But I suppose if it works "most of the time" there is little reason to change their practice.
That's why we patients need to be informed consumers of health care.

This is a great discussion