A STUDY REGARDING PRACTICE VARIATIONS FOR UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS IN OUTPATIENT SETTINGS ACCORDING TO A PHYSICIANS SPECIALTY

International Conference on General Practice & Hospital Management

December 8-9, 2016 | Dubai, UAE

Heui-yung Lee, KyungJin Kim, SeungHyun Yoo and Sung Sunwoo

University of Ulsan College of Medicine, South Korea

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Gen Practice

Abstract :

Background: Despite the majority of upper respiratory infections being viral, a high percentage of patients are treated with antibiotics, even though many drugs are not needed. The objective of this study is to find ways to reduce drug abuse for upper respiratory tract infection, patients by comparing practice patterns according to a physician�s position. Methods: We analyzed the diagnostic tests and utilization pattern of medications prescribed for upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) in outpatient settings. We reviewed medical records of the patients diagnosed with upper respiratory tract infections and being seen in the outpatient clinics of the Department of Family Medicine of Asan Medical Center (AMC) from March 2013 to December 2013. The percentage of laboratory tests, a chest X-ray, and medications prescribed and the proportion of the number of medications was calculated. Results: Of the 259 URI episodes identified, professors and fellows tended to use more chest X-rays than did residents and residents and fellows made more use of NSAIDS, antitussives, mucolytics and antihistamines than the professors did. Antibiotics were prescribed in 13.5% of all URI episodes and there were no significant differences between the physicians. Conclusions: We reviewed practice patterns regarding URI patients, according to a physician�s position in a university hospital based family medicine practice. Professors and fellows tended to use more chest X-rays than did residents. Residents and fellows made more use medications than the professors did.

Biography :

Lee Heui-yung has been Graduated from Dong-Kuk Medical University, as Family medicine Doctor, with the resident. Presently he has been working at Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Email: hylee707@hanmail.net