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Background and aim Diagnostic imaging is the second most used paraclinical examination in Denmark and 15% of all referrals from general practice concerns radiology. The fast development in diagnostic imaging constitutes a challenge for general practitioners’ when determining the right type of radiological examination for the right patient. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the quality and radiological relevance of referrals from general practice. Method Over an 8-week period radiologists reviewed randomly sampled referrals from general practice to different modalities; X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI regarding musculoskeletal issues. The reviews were conducted according to a preformed registration schema. Themes for the survey were: Relevance of referral, relevance of chosen modality, exhaustiveness of referral information, relevance of information and eventual suggestions for a more relevant modality.Results Four regional radiological departments participated in the study. A total of 785 referrals were reviewed. Most reviews were conducted on x-ray referrals (35%). Diagnostic imaging was considered relevant or very relevant in 73.5% of the reviewed referrals, of which referrals to CT-scanning was the most relevant (87%). Overall, referral information was relevant in 80% of the cases, and most relevant in referrals to x-ray (87%). In 9.5% of referrals the chosen modality was not the optimal, which was most pronounced for ultrasound referrals (13%). Referral information was most insufficient regarding MRI, where 56.4% of information was described as less insufficient/insufficient. It was a frequent notation, that there was too much irrelevant information, which was ascribed to copy-paste from the general practitioners’ records. Conclusion A majority of referrals from general practice to diagnostic imaging were considered relevant from a radiologic perspective. However, there seems to be a potential for development regarding the exhaustiveness of information and modality relevance, particularly for referrals to MRI and ultrasound.

Background and aim Diagnostic imaging is the second most used paraclinical examination in Denmark and 15% of all referrals from general practice concerns radiology. The fast development in diagnostic imaging constitutes a challenge for general practitioners’ when determining the right type of radiological examination for the right patient. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the quality and radiological relevance of referrals from general practice. Method Over an 8-week period radiologists reviewed randomly sampled referrals from general practice to different modalities; X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI regarding musculoskeletal issues. The reviews were conducted according to a preformed registration schema. Themes for the survey were: Relevance of referral, relevance of chosen modality, exhaustiveness of referral information, relevance of information and eventual suggestions for a more relevant modality.Results Four regional radiological departments participated in the study. A total of 785 referrals were reviewed. Most reviews were conducted on x-ray referrals (35%). Diagnostic imaging was considered relevant or very relevant in 73.5% of the reviewed referrals, of which referrals to CT-scanning was the most relevant (87%). Overall, referral information was relevant in 80% of the cases, and most relevant in referrals to x-ray (87%). In 9.5% of referrals the chosen modality was not the optimal, which was most pronounced for ultrasound referrals (13%). Referral information was most insufficient regarding MRI, where 56.4% of information was described as less insufficient/insufficient. It was a frequent notation, that there was too much irrelevant information, which was ascribed to copy-paste from the general practitioners’ records. Conclusion A majority of referrals from general practice to diagnostic imaging were considered relevant from a radiologic perspective. However, there seems to be a potential for development regarding the exhaustiveness of information and modality relevance, particularly for referrals to MRI and ultrasound.

Background: About one third of consultations involving ARIs result in the prescribing of antibiotics. Studies have demonstrated that general practitioners’ (GPs) decisions about antibiotic prescriptions are influenced by patients’ expectations. Few studies have focused on patient knowledge of antibiotics.Objectives: This study aimed to study patient knowledge and perceptions of antibiotic treatment and to explore possible associations between patient gender, age, and educational level and accurate knowledge of antibiotics.Design/Methods: As part of an Audit Project Odense project a questionnaire survey was conducted during winter 2014. Patients aged ≥18 years consulting their GP with symptoms of ARI were requested to fill in a questionnaire on knowledge and perception of antibiotic treatment. Socio-demographic information was obtained.Results: 361 patients completed the questionnaire (response rate 64%). 75% recognized that antibiotics are effective against bacteria and not against virus. Overuse of antibiotics was acknowledged by 80% of respondents as an important factor in the development of resistant bacteria. Female gender was the only patient characteristic significantly associated with accurate knowledge. Respondents having received antibiotic treatment within the previous two years tended to believe that antibiotics were effective against virus, OR 2.3.Conclusion: Our study found that patients were generally well-informed about antibiotics and aware of antibiotic overuse as an important factor in the development of resistant bacteria. Points for discussion: To what extent does patient knowledge and perception on antibiotics influence the GP when considering prescribing antibiotics?How can knowledge of patient perception of ARIs and antibiotics be helpful in the consultation room?

A prerequisite for rational antibiotic treatment is the suspicion that the disease is caused by bacteria and that treatment will reduce symptoms and complications. In primary health care most infections are caused by bacteria. The European project HAPPY AUDIT found that an intervention targeting doctors and patients in primary care led to a considerable decrease in antibiotic prescribing. Teaching of hospital doctors, combined with a restriction in the choice of antibiotics, resulted in a decrease in multidrug-resistant strains. A concerted effort is needed to curb the growing resistance problem.