A prospective study on ambulatory care provided by primary care pediatricians during influenza season

Ital J Pediatr. 2014 Apr 23:40:38. doi: 10.1186/1824-7288-40-38.

Abstract

Aim of this study was to obtain a picture of the nature of the primary care pediatricians' visits during a winter season. We investigated reasons for visits, diagnosis, and pattern of prescription in 284 children. The reason for visit was a planned visit in 54% of cases, a well-being examination in 26%, and an urgent visit for an acute problem in 20% of cases. Cough was the most common symptom reported (61%). The most common pediatricians' diagnosis was flu-like syndrome (47%). No disease was found by pediatrician in 27% of children with a symptom reported by caregivers. Antibiotics were prescribed in 25% of children, the vast majority of which affected by viral respiratory infections. The unjustified access to physician's visit may lead to a inappropriate prescription of drugs.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Ambulatory Care / methods*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Epidemics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Influenza, Human / diagnosis
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology
  • Influenza, Human / therapy*
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Office Visits / statistics & numerical data
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'*
  • Primary Health Care / methods*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Seasons

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antiviral Agents