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Communicating about expected course and re-consultation for respiratory tract infections in children: an exploratory

Christopher C Butler1, Stephen Rollnick, Paul Kinnersley

  • 1University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff. butlercc@cf.ac.uk

The British Journal of General Practice : the Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
|July 9, 2004
PubMed

Insights

General practitioners (GPs) rarely discussed prognosis or provided clear re-consultation triggers for children with acute respiratory tract infections. Improved communication could reduce unnecessary re-consultations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • General Practice
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Acute respiratory tract infections are a leading cause for pediatric consultations.
  • A significant proportion of children with these infections require re-consultation for the same episode.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze communication patterns regarding prognosis and re-consultation advice in pediatric respiratory tract infection consultations.
  • To identify opportunities for improving patient/carer management of these common childhood illnesses.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 59 audiotaped general practitioner (GP) consultations with children diagnosed with acute respiratory tract infections.
  • Examination of discussions on illness prognosis and guidance for when to seek further medical attention.

Main Results:

  • Prognosis was explicitly mentioned in only 22 consultations.
  • Specific triggers for re-consultation were provided in 15 consultations; carers were advised to return if 'unhappy' in 11.
  • Patient information leaflets were rarely utilized (once).

Conclusions:

  • Enhanced communication regarding the expected clinical course and clear re-consultation triggers can empower carers.
  • Improved information provision may lead to better self-management of acute respiratory tract infections in children, reducing healthcare burden.

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