Personal characteristics, % |
Aged ≥65 years | 17.7 | 28.0 | 14.6 | 27.8 | 28.1 | 29.8 | 20.3 |
Female sex | 57.6 | 55.6 | 58.2 | 55.7 | 55.6 | 54.8 | 59.3 |
Level of education (low education) | 32.2 | 43.2 | 28.9 | 46.4 | 41.2 | 44.7 | 39.0 |
Smoker | 33.5 | 30.0 | 34.3 | 39.2 | 24.2 | 30.9 | 27.1 |
Type of insurance (publicly insured) | 66.8 | 70.4 | 65.7 | 71.1 | 69.9 | 69.1 | 72.9 |
Chronic respiratory comorbidity | 13.4 | 27.6 | 9.1 | 33.0 | 24.2 | 28.2 | 25.4 |
Other comorbiditya | 19.5 | 26.0 | 17.5 | 26.8 | 25.5 | 25.0 | 30.5 |
Self-reported health (moderate to poor) | 28.1 | 13.2 | 32.6 | 8.2 | 16.3 | 13.8 | 11.9 |
|
Characteristics of the recent respiratory tract symptoms, % |
Duration of the reported symptoms ≥2 weeks | 38.4 | 77.6 | 26.0 | 73.9 | 79.9 | 73.4 | 78.0 |
Fever present during the reported symptoms | 11.9 | 18.8 | 9.8 | 35.1 | 8.5 | 18.6 | 20.3 |
Urged by others to visit a GP | 11.7 | 40.8 | 3.0 | 46.4 | 37.3 | 41.5 | 39.0 |
Perceived seriousness of the symptoms, mean (SD)b | 2.1 (1.1) | 2.8 (1.1) | 1.8 (0.9) | 3.0 (1.1) | 2.7 (1.0) | 2.7 (1.1) | 3.0 (1.1) |
Over-the-counter medication | 50.8 | 43.6 | 52.9 | 51.5 | 38.6 | 41.5 | 52.5 |
|
Views on respiratory tract symptoms and antibiotics, mean (SD)c |
Seriousness | 3.2 (0.9) | 3.5 (1.0) | 3.2 (0.9) | 3.6 (1.0) | 3.4 (1.0) | 3.5 (1.0) | 3.4 (0.9) |
Self-limiting character | 3.3 (0.7) | 3.1 (0.8) | 3.4 (0.7) | 3.1 (0.8) | 3.1 (0.8) | 3.1 (0.8) | 3.0 (0.8) |
Need to consult a GP | 3.8 (0.6) | 4.0 (0.5) | 3.8 (0.6) | 4.0 (0.6) | 4.0 (0.5) | 4.0 (0.5) | 3.8 (0.6) |
Need of antibiotics in cases of fever | 3.1 (1.0) | 3.4 (1.1) | 3.0 (1.0) | 3.5 (1.0) | 3.2 (1.2) | 3.4 (1.1) | 3.2 (1.1) |
Need of antibiotics in cases of green phlegm | 3.1 (1.3) | 3.4 (1.3) | 3.0 (1.3) | 3.8 (1.1) | 3.1 (1.3) | 3.4 (1.3) | 3.3 (1.2) |
Need of antibiotics in cases of white spots in the throat | 3.7 (1.1) | 3.9 (1.1) | 3.7 (1.1) | - | - | - | - |
Effectiveness of antibiotics | 3.6 (0.9) | 3.6 (0.9) | 3.5 (0.9) | 3.8 (0.9) | 3.5 (0.8) | 3.6 (0.9) | 3.5 (0.9) |
Side effects of antibiotics | 3.1 (1.0) | 3.0 (1.0) | 3.2 (1.0) | 2.8 (1.0) | 3.1 (1.0) | 3.0 (1.0) | 2.9 (0.9) |
|
Aspects of GPs' management, % yes |
GP listened carefully | - | - | - | 79.4 | 75.2 | 78.7 | 72.9 |
GP examined carefully | - | - | - | 62.9 | 52.9 | 63.3 | 37.3 |
GP gave information and advice | - | - | - | 55.7 | 43.1 | 48.4 | 49.2 |
GP prescribed antibiotics | - | - | - | 100 | 0 | 41.0 | 33.9 |
Satisfaction with GPs' visit | - | - | - | 79.4 | 73.8 | 100 | 0 |