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Chronic Lyme disease: a survey of Connecticut primary care physicians

Michael Johnson1, Henry M Feder

  • 1University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|September 4, 2010
PubMed

Insights

A small percentage of Connecticut primary care physicians diagnose and treat chronic Lyme disease. Many remain undecided or do not believe in its existence, impacting patient care.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health
  • Medical Practice

Background:

  • Chronic Lyme disease remains a debated diagnosis among medical professionals.
  • Understanding physician practices is crucial for patient management and public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the frequency of chronic Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment by primary care physicians in Connecticut.
  • To identify physician attitudes towards chronic Lyme disease.

Main Methods:

  • A survey was distributed to a random sample of Connecticut primary care physicians.
  • Physicians reported on their diagnosis and treatment of chronic Lyme disease over the past three years.

Main Results:

  • Only 2.1% of surveyed physicians diagnose and treat chronic Lyme disease.
  • 48.1% were undecided about its existence but did not treat it.
  • 49.8% did not believe chronic Lyme disease exists.

Conclusions:

  • A very small proportion of primary care physicians in Connecticut actively diagnose and treat chronic Lyme disease.
  • Physician skepticism and lack of consensus on chronic Lyme disease present challenges for affected patients.
Abstract

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