M Grupper1, I Potasman. 1. Infectious Diseases Unit, Bnai Zion Medical Center, PO Box 4940, 31048 Haifa, Israel. moti.grupper@b-zion.org.il
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The field of outpatient infectious disease (ID) consultations is expanding. Surprisingly, limited data are available regarding the scope of formal, adult, outpatient ID consultations. METHODS: The computerized records of all adult outpatient ID consultations conducted by a single ID expert over the years 2001-2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic, clinical and management characteristics were studied. RESULTS: We identified 619 eligible cases, mostly women (61.4%). The mean age (+/- SD) was 39 +/- 15.5 years, and each patient had 1.3 +/- 0.7 visits on average. In 12% of the cases, symptoms have been fluctuating for > or = 1 year. Most of the cases (54.3%) have been referred for the purpose of management rather than diagnostics. Largest areas leading to ID consultation were post-travel medical conditions (15.5%) and pregnancy-related infections (11%); specific leading categories were viral infections (17.3%), skin and soft tissue syndromes (15.2%) and gastrointestinal syndromes (7.6%). Recurrent, well-characterized infections plus ill-defined syndromes constituted a substantial part of all referrals. Newly discovered findings were elicited in the medical history and physical examination in 3.7% and 2.7% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Formal outpatient ID consultations have unique aspects, which differ from "traditional" inpatient consultations. The field offers exciting medical research possibilities and new themes for healthcare executives.
BACKGROUND: The field of outpatientinfectious disease (ID) consultations is expanding. Surprisingly, limited data are available regarding the scope of formal, adult, outpatient ID consultations. METHODS: The computerized records of all adult outpatient ID consultations conducted by a single ID expert over the years 2001-2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic, clinical and management characteristics were studied. RESULTS: We identified 619 eligible cases, mostly women (61.4%). The mean age (+/- SD) was 39 +/- 15.5 years, and each patient had 1.3 +/- 0.7 visits on average. In 12% of the cases, symptoms have been fluctuating for > or = 1 year. Most of the cases (54.3%) have been referred for the purpose of management rather than diagnostics. Largest areas leading to ID consultation were post-travel medical conditions (15.5%) and pregnancy-related infections (11%); specific leading categories were viral infections (17.3%), skin and soft tissue syndromes (15.2%) and gastrointestinal syndromes (7.6%). Recurrent, well-characterized infections plus ill-defined syndromes constituted a substantial part of all referrals. Newly discovered findings were elicited in the medical history and physical examination in 3.7% and 2.7% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Formal outpatient ID consultations have unique aspects, which differ from "traditional" inpatient consultations. The field offers exciting medical research possibilities and new themes for healthcare executives.
Authors: M R Weinstein; M Litt; D A Kertesz; P Wyper; D Rose; M Coulter; A McGeer; R Facklam; C Ostach; B M Willey; A Borczyk; D E Low Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1997-08-28 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: N Bisharat; V Agmon; R Finkelstein; R Raz; G Ben-Dror; L Lerner; S Soboh; R Colodner; D N Cameron; D L Wykstra; D L Swerdlow; J J Farmer Journal: Lancet Date: 1999-10-23 Impact factor: 79.321