Views on respiratory tract symptoms and antibiotics of Dutch general practitioners, practice staff and patients.
OBJECTIVE
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.
van Duijn
Huug J
HJ
Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center (UMC), Str. 6.131, P.O. Box 85060, 3508 AB Utrecht, the Netherlands. hj@vduijn.nl
Kuyvenhoven
Marijke M
MM
Schellevis
François G
FG
Verheij
Theo J M
TJ
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015897:Comorbidity; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004433:Earache / Q000188:drug therapy; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000458:organization & administration; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents