Patients' expectations for antibiotics for acute respiratory tract infections a questionnaire-study at Oslo Legevakt, winter 2002-2003

Abstract

Background: We wanted to examine patients' expectations for antibiotics when presenting symptoms of ARTI , and also see if there were any differences between Norwegians and immigrants. In addition we wanted to find out if the doctors perceived these expectations and if it influenced prescribing.

Material and methods: Questionnaire-study at Oslo Legevakt (emergency service) where patients (n=180) with symptoms of ARTI and the consulted doctors (n=27) participated. The patients were separated into a Nordic and a non-Nordic group.

Results: 38% of the patients expected antibiotics. There were no significant differences between the Nordic and the non-Nordic group. Patients who reported to be very/quite ill, wanted antibiotics more often than those who reported to be quite well. Age above 30 years was also associated with positive expectation. The doctors perceived the expectations of 41% of the patients who wanted antibiotics and of 69% of those who didn t want. When the doctor thought the patient wanted antibiotics, 44% got a prescription.

Interpretation: Less than half of the patients with symptoms of ARTI wanted antibiotics. The doctors are better at perceiving negative expectations for antibiotics. We ve got reason to believe that the doctors perceptions of the patients expectations influence prescribing of antibiotics.