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Authors: Uijen, Johannes HJM¹; van Duijn, Huug J²; Kuyvenhoven, Marijke M²; Schellevis, François G³; van der Wouden, Johannes C¹

Source: British Journal of General Practice, Volume 58, Number 549, April 2008 , pp. 248-254(7)

Abstract:

Background

GPs are often consulted for respiratory tract symptoms in children.

Aim

To explore characteristics of children, their parents, and their GPs that are correlated with consulting a GP for cough, sore throat, or earache.

Design of study

Second Dutch National Survey of General Practice (DNSGP-2) with a health interview and an additional questionnaire.

Setting

Children aged 0-17 years registered with 122 GPs in Dutch general practice.

Method

Characteristics of patients and their GPs were derived from the DNSGP-2 health interview and a questionnaire, respectively. Characteristics of the illness symptoms and GP consultation were acquired by means of an additional questionnaire. Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Of all children who completed the questionnaire, 550 reported cough, sore throat, or earache in the 2 weeks preceding the interview with 147 of them consulting their GP. Young children more frequently consulted the GP for respiratory symptoms, as did children with fever, longer duration of symptoms, those reporting their health to be `poor to good', and living in an urban area. When parents were worried, and when a child or their parents were cued by someone else, the GP was also consulted more often. GP-related determinants were not associated with GP consultation by children.

Conclusion

This study emphasises the importance of establishing the reasons behind children with respiratory tract symptoms consulting their GP. When GPs are aware of possible determinants of the decision to consult a GP, more appropriate advice and reassurance can be given regarding these respiratory symptoms, which are generally self-limiting.

Keywords: children; consultation; family practice; respiratory tract infections

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.3399/bjgp08X279751

Affiliations: 1: Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam 2: Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center, Utrecht 3: NIVEL, Netherlands Institute of Health Services Research, Utrecht, and Department of General Practice EMGO Institute, Free University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

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