WHAT DO PATIENTS EXPECT FROM CONSULTATIONS FOR UPPER RESPIRATORY-TRACT INFECTIONS

Background and objective. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among st patients who consulted for upper respiratory tract infections (URTI ) at 22 private practitioners' offices. Method. A total of 505 adult p atients and 504 guardians (parents or grandparents of child patients) completed a self-administered questionnaire. Results. The majority tho ught that URTI would not resolve on its own, while half thought that i njections would speed recovery. But 78% disagreed with the statement t hat ''taking multiple medications means faster recovery''. Although 91 % consulted for medicines, only 36% went specifically for antibiotics and 20% for injections. More than half would accept it if the doctor a dvised no medicine. More guardians (85%) than adult patients (69%) wen t for reassurance and to exclude complications. Using logistic regress ion analysis, the more educated respondents and the working guardians had higher knowledge scores, while the working guardians and responden ts who knew the viral cause were less likely to worry and to demand an tibiotics and injections. Conclusion. Much patient education and a cha nge in doctors' prescribing habits in the management of URTI are neede d in Hong Kong.