title: Management of upper respiratory tract infections by telephone.
abstract: We surveyed Utah general internists (N = 134) regarding their attitudes toward and practices associated with telephone management of upper respiratory tract infections. The questionnaire contained 3 case vignettes--viral upper respiratory tract infection, streptococcal pharyngitis, and acute infectious epiglottitis--and a series of questions were asked about telephone diagnosis, management preferences (clinic versus telephone), and telephone management practices. The 53 respondents (40%) were able to make important diagnostic distinctions about upper respiratory tract infections from a written vignette. As the likelihood of a complicated or serious condition increased, patients would be appropriately triaged for clinical evaluation. Most internists would make a written record of the telephone conversation. Only 1 internist of the 53 would charge for telephone management.
authors.affiliation: Providence Medical Center, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jepson
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Holbrook
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lyon
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone