Are sore throat patients who hope for antibiotics actually asking for pain relief?
van Driel ML; De Sutter A; Deveugele M; Peersman W; Butler CC; De Meyere M; De Maeseneer J; Christiaens T Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, UZ-1K3, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. mieke.vandriel@ugent.be PURPOSE: Antibiotics are still overprescribed for self-limiting upper respiratory tract infections such as acute sore throat, and physicians mention patient’s desire for antibiotics as a driving force. We studied patients’ concerns when visiting their family physician for acute sore throat, more specifically the importance they attach to antibiotic treatment and pain relief. METHODS: Family physicians in 6 peer groups in Belgium participated in an observational postvisit questionnaire survey. Patients aged 12 years and older making an office visit for acute sore throat were invited to indicate the importance of different reasons for the visit. RESULTS: Sixty-eight family physicians provided data from 298 patients. The 3 most frequently e
