Swiss medical weekly
-
Swiss medical weekly · Apr 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialPrevalence and influence of diagnostic tests for acute respiratory tract infections in primary care.
General practitioners (GPs) use diagnostic tests to help distinguish between viral and bacterial acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI). We investigated the prevalence of these tests, and how tests are associated with diagnosis, treatment and patient satisfaction. ⋯ Nearly half of these patients with ARTI received a diagnostic test. Older patients, those with higher education and those in more discomfort were more likely to get tests. A positive test was strongly associated with antibiotic treatment.