TY - JOUR
T1 - Views on respiratory tract symptoms and antibiotics of Dutch general practitioners, practice staff and patients
AU - van Duijn, Huug J.
AU - Kuyvenhoven, Marijke M.
AU - Schellevis, François G.
AU - Verheij, T. J M
PY - 2006/6/1
Y1 - 2006/6/1
N2 - Objectives: To explore views on respiratory tract symptoms (cough, sore throat and earache) and antibiotics of GPs, practice staff, and patients. Methods: In a nationwide study, 181 GPs, 204 practice staff members and 1250 patients from 90 practices participated by answering 14 items relating to views on respiratory tract symptoms and antibiotics in a written questionnaire. Differences in means were compared. Results: Patients more than GPs endorsed the seriousness of respiratory tract symptoms, the need to consult a GP, the need to prescribe antibiotics, and the ability of antibiotics to speed up recovery. GPs were more than patients convinced of the self-limiting character of respiratory tract symptoms and of the fact that antibiotics have side effects. Practice staff took a middle ground in most of these views. Conclusions: Differences between GPs, practice staff and patients must be taken into account when exploring patients' complaints and advising on treatment. Education and knowledge programmes for practice staff might be advocated.
AB - Objectives: To explore views on respiratory tract symptoms (cough, sore throat and earache) and antibiotics of GPs, practice staff, and patients. Methods: In a nationwide study, 181 GPs, 204 practice staff members and 1250 patients from 90 practices participated by answering 14 items relating to views on respiratory tract symptoms and antibiotics in a written questionnaire. Differences in means were compared. Results: Patients more than GPs endorsed the seriousness of respiratory tract symptoms, the need to consult a GP, the need to prescribe antibiotics, and the ability of antibiotics to speed up recovery. GPs were more than patients convinced of the self-limiting character of respiratory tract symptoms and of the fact that antibiotics have side effects. Practice staff took a middle ground in most of these views. Conclusions: Differences between GPs, practice staff and patients must be taken into account when exploring patients' complaints and advising on treatment. Education and knowledge programmes for practice staff might be advocated.
KW - Antibiotics
KW - General practitioners
KW - Patients
KW - Practice staff
KW - Respiratory tract symptoms
KW - Views
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33646757559&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2005.03.012
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2005.03.012
M3 - Article
C2 - 16731314
SN - 0738-3991
VL - 61
SP - 342
EP - 347
JO - Patient Education and Counseling
JF - Patient Education and Counseling
IS - 3
ER -