Management of sore throat by family physicians in northeastern Poland: possible benefits of applying clinical algorithm.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to describe current sore throat management practices among family physicians and to estimate potential benefits of applying clinical algorithm - Centor's scale (presence of tonsillar exudates, fever, lymphadenopathy and absence of cough) in decision-making process.


METHODS
Each of 44 participating family physicians was asked to fill in questionnaires for 30 consecutive patients with respiratory tract infection.


RESULTS
Almost all decisions were made on clinical grounds. Among 169 adult patients with the clinical diagnosis of bacterial pharyngitis only 55% fulfilled 3 or more criteria on Centor's scale.


CONCLUSIONS
Family physicians overdiagnose bacterial pharyngitis. Screening adult patients with Centor's criteria would probably lead to a reduction in the prescribing of antibiotics.
Chlabicz
Sławomir
S
Department of Family Medicine and Community Nursing, Medical University of Białystok, Poland. schlabicz@poczta.onet.pl
Ołtarzewska
Alicja Małgorzata
AM
Sawicka-Powierza
Jolanta
J
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011044:Poland; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents