Quality use of medicines: The patient with Acute Cough

Abstract

Surveys of family practitioners prescribing habits have often found that patients presenting with the respiratory tract infections are associated with increased levels of discomfort, as their expectations may well be in conflict with the therapeutic approaches proposed in the evidence-based guidelines. For example a critical incident survey amongst practitioners in the North of England showed that they experienced the greatest discomfort when facing patients with respiratory diseases, musculo-skeletal problems or anxiety, or when contemplating the the use of antibiotics, tranquillisers, hypnotics, or symptomatic remedies. While decisions around antibiotic choice (or use at all) in - the symptomatic relief of the cough itself.