Effects of systematic patient education about cough on the consulting behaviour of a general practice population

In four general practices the effects of systematic patient education on cough were compared with four control practices. Intended and unintended contacts for cough were defined. In two successive autumn-winter periods, in 62% of 5890 contacts for cough the intervention could be applied. In spite of the better baseline situation in the experimental practices, the percentage of intended contacts with the GP increased from 47 to 65% (control group: 28 and 30%, respectively, P < 0.01). There was a considerable interpractice variance. For methodological reasons a leaflet was sent to all the patients in the experimental practices. This possibly also led to a shift in the consulting pattern.