Use of thermometers in general practice.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the attitudes of general practitioners towards the use of thermometers in general practice.


METHODS
Postal questionnaire survey.


METHODS
All general practitioners in the catchment area of Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey.


METHODS
145 general practitioners.


METHODS
Answers to questions covering a variety of aspects concerning the use of thermometers in general practice.


RESULTS
116 (80%) doctors replied. Seven doctors did not have any method of taking a patient's temperature; up to 12 more doctors did not use their thermometers and 56 doctors used them infrequently, less than once a fortnight. Mercury glass thermometers were most commonly used (80 doctors; 69%), but only 8% of doctors used them correctly. Six doctors failed to clean their thermometers between patients. The study failed to identify the roles of axillary and rectal temperature readings.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a wide variation in attitudes towards the use of thermometers in general practice.
Clarke
S
S
The Surgery, Camberley, Surrey.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001365:Axilla; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008722:Methods; D012007:Rectum; D013821:Thermometers