Table 2.

Thematic Framework of Patients’ Understanding of Antibiotic Resistance

Theme	Sub-theme	Explanation
1. Resistance located in the person	1.1 Body incompatible with drug	Resistance interpreted as 'I have a reaction against' the drug or antibiotic, a compatibility issue
	1.2 Body getting used to the drug	Resistance interpreted as 'getting used to' the drug or 'becoming immune'
	1.3 Immune system	Resistance interpreted as if you take a lot of antibiotics, or take them when they are not needed, it damages the immune system
	1.4 Hereditary	Resistance interpreted as hereditary
2. Resistance located in the bacterium	2.1 Bacterial resistance	The scientifically correct interpretation of the term 'resistance' – bacterial development of a drug resistance
	2.2 Infection resistance	Scientifically correct concept of the term resistance using lay language so without use or awareness of term bacterial
	2.3 MRSA/Hospital acquired	Resistance related to hospital-acquired resistant infection (e.g. MRSA)
3. Resistance located in the antibiotic	3.1 Strength of antibiotic	Resistance related to the concept of a weak or strong antibiotic. May also include explanations of the wrong antibiotic being used, or too short a course
	3.2 Lost potency	The concept of the antibiotic not being effective if used too often, unnecessarily, or course not completed
4. Features of illness	4.1 A different infection	Antibiotics not effective if illness is ‘new’ or different to that for which it was prescribed
	4.2 Illness too strong	Illness has become too strong for antibiotics to manage
5. Psychosomatic		Psychosomatic belief that antibiotics will not work