[Are otolaryngologists specialist for pollinosis?].
It is approved that ENT doctors are specialist for pollinosis. Is it true from the point of view of patients' medical care-seeking behavior? 214 patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis who had visited medical doctors in 2003 pollen-season were randomly sampled from 603 pollinosis patients registered at a disease survey company and we mailed self-evaluation questionnaire on patients' medical care-seeking behavior on the end of pollen season in 2004. Response rate was 65.3%. Patients visited clinics in approximately 90% more than hospitals. They selected ENT in 43.9% and general physicians in 31.1%. Their selections were based on others than their specialty such as easy access and previous experience of visit, because pollinosis is not serious disease like cancer. ENT doctors treated the patients by combination of two kinds of tablet or topical steroid with tablet, while general physicians did with single kind of tablet. The patient satisfaction, and its related questions including preference, wish to revisit in next year and recommendation to their friend were not different in treatment between ENT and general physician. Doctors' attitude, and communication with patients were the most important factor for patient satisfaction as well as treatment out-come. In conclusion, patients prefer agreeable and convenient treatment. If ENT doctors still want to be specialist for pollinosis, they should take care patients well and develop their own specific treatment methodology to cure this disease.
Okuda
Minoru
M
Japan Allergy Asthma Clinic.
Ohkubo
Kimihiro
K
Goto
Minoru
M
D032485:Cryptomeria; D006801:Humans; D010036:Otolaryngology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010821:Physicians, Family; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; D012621:Seasons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires