Care-seeking behavior for upper respiratory infections

BACKGROUND Many recent efforts to reduce unnecessary medical services have targeted care of upper respiratory infections (URIs), We tested whether pat ients who seek care very early in their illness differ from those who seek care later and whether they might require a different approach to care. METHODS We surveyed by telephone 257 adult patients and 249 parents of chil d patients who called or visited one of 3 primary care clinics within 10 da ys (adults) or 14 days (parents) of the onset of uncomplicated URI symptoms , Those who contacted the clinic within the first 2 days of illness were co mpared with those who made contact later. RESULTS Although 28% of adults and 41% of parents contacted their clinic wi thin the first 2 days of symptom onset: we found very few differences in th e characteristics of the caller or patient between those who called early a nd later. The illnesses of those who called early were not more severe, and they did not have different beliefs, histories, approaches to medical care , or needs, The only clinician-relevant difference was that adult patients calling in the first 2 days had a greater desire to rule out complications (84.7% vs 64.1% calling in 3-5 days and 70.6% calling after 5 days of illne ss, P less than or equal to .05). CONCLUSIONS Those who seek medical care very early fur a URI do not appear to be different in clinically important ways. If we are going to reduce ove ruse of medical care and antibiotics for URIs, clinical trials of more effe ctive and efficient strategies are needed to encourage home care and self-m anagement.