Characteristics of patients with upper respiratory tract infection presenting to a walk-in clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To profile patients with upper respiratory tract infection (URI) presenting to a walk-in clinic, to quantify their perspectives on the need for antibiotic therapy, and to find out their predictions of future behavior for similar illnesses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the spring of 1998, previsit and postvisit questionnaires were distributed at the clinic to patients 18 years of age or older with URI symptoms.
RESULTS: Based on 210 completed previsit questionnaires, 161 respondents (77%) had been ill 5 or more days, 200 (95%) had cough, 177 (84%) had phlegm, 132 (63%) had sinus pain, and 79 (38%) had fever. Additionally, 54 patients (26%) reported a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, or chronic sinusitis, and 37 (18%) were smokers. Most patients were between 18 and 40 years of age. The 210 patients were categorized into 2 groups: those who believed that antibiotics were necessary (157 [75%]) and those who believed antibiotics were unnecessary (53 [25%]). The only statistically significant difference between the 2 groups was in patients with sinus pain: 109 (69%) wanted antibiotics compared with 23 (43%) who did not (P<.001). Of the 210 patients, 130 completed postvisit questionnaires, 129 (99%) of whom reported satisfaction with the clinic visit. All patients who either desired or received antibiotics indicated they would likely seek medical care for future URIs.
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with presumed URI presenting to this walk-in clinic expect to receive treatment with antibiotics. Of our 130 study patients, 83 (64%) received antibiotics regardless of their desire for antibiotic treatment. Satisfaction with the office visit was independent of patients' initial beliefs about antibiotics and whether antibiotics were prescribed.